InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Realization ❯ Chapter 34 ( Chapter 41 )

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

Chapter 34

Inuyasha slowly pushed Kagome’s bedroom door open. He stood in the doorway staring at the pile of covers on the floor. He frowned at them before he leaned over and picked them up and tossed them back on the bed.

He had a strange feeling; it was a feeling that something just wasn’t right. He could almost feel it in the air. He had yet to be wrong, he may not have been able to figure out exactly what it was that was off or exactly what was going to happen as quickly as he would like, but he had yet to be wrong about it. He just hoped whatever it was, that it didn’t include Kagome. With all she’d been through she needed some peace. She needed a chance to gather her wits about her. And now it seemed, a chance to let her ankle heal.

But considering everything they’d been through and still had to go through it didn’t seem like his hopes were about to come true. Fine, he thought, I have Kagome back and as long as we stick together everything else would just have to be handled.

The events of the day replayed itself in his mind. Kagome’s hair tickled his nose startling him out of his sleep. He moved his head slightly to the side and looked down to see Kagome’s head resting comfortably on his chest, her arm draped across his stomach, and her leg rested on his knees and thighs. His arm rested between them. He hadn’t planned on falling asleep. Sleep wasn’t something he required much of, but, then again, he hadn’t sleep since Kagome’s death. Last night, long after she had fallen asleep, he spent an unknown amount of time breathing in the scent of her, savoring the feel of her warm body sleeping against his. Knowing that she was more than content to be with him and him with her. He struggled hard with the fact that being with Kagome was the only place he wanted to be. Wherever she was, he wanted to be with her.

He realized then that it was more than that; she was home. He sucked in his breath at the thought and the sudden warmth that started from the pit of his stomach and spread throughout his whole body. Home, he thought, it’s been so long since I’ve had a place to call home. He closed his eyes when memories of his mother filled his mind. Her tucking him in at night; her smiling down at him while he sat on her lap; her voice as she sang to him; when he remembered her crying because he was teased and called a hanyou he shook the thoughts from his mind.

Kagome moaned in her sleep and snuggled closer, moving her head to where it almost rested in the crook of his neck. Her arm moved further across his stomach to where she was almost hugging him to her. Inuyasha felt his face flush at her sudden movement and closed his eyes as he felt liquid heat run through his body.

“I need to get up.” He said to himself softly, he remembered feeling the same liquid heat when Kagome kissed him the night before. At the sudden images such thoughts produced Inuyasha inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, and caught a whiff of eggs. He inhaled again. “Kagome’s mother must be making breakfast.” He reasoned. Deciding that getting up to eat was the best excuse needed for him to try and ease him self from under Kagome while trying not to wake her, raised his head. Very slowly he moved his legs from under Kagome’s and, deciding on a rolling approach, he slowly rolled himself out of Kagome’s snug hold while moving the pillow to take his place. He was almost off the bed when Kagome moaned again, causing Inuyasha to stop in mid-movement. He chanced a glance over his shoulder to see Kagome hugging the pillow tightly to her. He eased off the bed. He straightened his clothes and shh’d his stomach when it growled. He tossed a glance at Kagome before he eased the door open and stepped out into the hall.

After straightening his clothes and running his fingers through his hair he went downstairs and followed his nose to the kitchen. He stopped short when he saw Kagome’s family gathered around the breakfast table.

“Who wants eggs?” Kagome’s mother asked turning from the stove, a skillet in her hand.

“Me.” Declared Sota raising his hand.

“I’ll have a small portion.” Said Kagome’s grandfather.

“What about you, Inuyasha?”

The sound of his name caused Inuyasha to jerk in response. Now they were all looking at him. Inuyasha swallowed in nervousness.

“You did want some breakfast, right? I’ve made enough.” She scooped some eggs onto a plate and grabbed some toast.

“You can sit next to me.” Sota offered with a big smile and to prove it he pushed the chair next to him back and patted the hard seat.

“Okay.” Inuyasha said, he cleared his throat, and sat.

“Is Kagome still asleep?” She asked handing him his plate.

“Yea, she is.” Inuyasha answered taking the offered plate.

“Let her rest.” Her father told her. “Rest is the best thing for her. No need to worry.”

“She was gone for six days, dad. I’m worried about her.”

“Yes, she was gone and now she’s back.”

“I’m not questioning my daughters miracle.”

“As her mother you will always worry.” He told her. “But with good reason. It could be worse, she could be some zombie.”

“Please.” She said looking at Sota. Her hands covering her flushed cheeks.

“She could have been a zombie?” Sota asked with curiosity.

“No.” All three said together.

“You’re finished eating.” Kanya said looking at Sota’s empty plate. “Put your plate in the sink and get ready for school.”

Sota rolled his eyes and groaned but grabbed his plate and took it to the sink. “Will you walk with me this morning?” He asked his grandfather.

“If you like. Go and get ready. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Sota nodded and took off.

“Before I go let me say that I agree with your worry.” He said standing, looking at his daughter. “I worry that things may not be exactly what they seem. She died and now she’s back, she could be changed and not even know.”

“Because there hasn’t been enough time for either she or us to notice.” Kanya added.

“She might not know to look out for any changes.”

“Like what?” Inuyasha asked.

“Any changes really.”

“And if she does change?” Inuyasha asked.

There was a moment’s silence. “I’m not sure. We'll have to deal with that if the time comes,”

“If?” Kanya asked.

“Yes, let's just see what happens. I haven’t had any experience in situations like this.”

“I’m ready!” Sota cried from the hallway.

“I’ll be back.” He said turning and leaving them by themselves. “I’m coming.” He called out to Sota.

Suddenly it was very quiet. The once soft ticking of the clock seemed to bounce off the walls.

“You haven’t eaten you breakfast.” Kanya observed suddenly.

Inuyasha looked down at his plate of eggs and toast. He frowned. “Surprising, isn’t it?” He said not looking up from his plate.

“You came down here for breakfast, right?” She leaned back in her seat, a smile on her face.

“Yea.” He admitted looking up.

“Okay.” She got up and walked to the refrigerator and opened both doors. “I’m not sure if they’re frozen or not.” He heard her say softly to herself. “Here we go.” She declared and held up a large steak. “How about a T-bone?”

“That’s steak?” He asked, his interest stirred, his stomach wanted to growl.

“Yes.” She lowered the package and turned it over and looked at it. “The bone is in the shape of a ‘t’.”

“You’re asking me if I want you to cook that for me?” He asked clarifying the situation.

“Yes. I should have some potatoes.” She turned around. “You can have steak and potatoes for breakfast.”

She grabbed the skillet she used to make eggs and cleaned it. She turned the fire on the stove and set the steak to cook. Grabbing herbs and spices from the cabinet, she seasoned the steak, and Inuyasha enjoyed the smell of his pending breakfast.

“I love the smell of sizzling herbs and spices.” She said sitting down again.

“Me too.” Inuyasha nodded his head

“It won’t take too long. I’ll start cutting up your potatoes in a minute.”

Inuyasha just nodded again and the listened to the sizzling of the steak in silence.

“Does Kagome seem okay to you?” She asked quietly, shattering the silence between them.

“Yes and no.” Inuyasha answered honestly after a moment of consideration. “She’s confused. So much has happened because of her, for her, and around her, and I mean that literally. She can’t help but feel confused.”

Kanya nodded.

“She needs time. We need to give her time. She has questions that need to be answered and she doesn’t want any of us fussing over her or holding back things because we don’t think she’s ready to hear it.”

“She’s always been strong willed.” She got up, flipped the steak, pulled out a few potatoes, washed them, and chopped them up. “I’ve tried very hard to keep my fears from getting away from me and taking over.” The motion of the knife slowed. “I told myself that as long as she has you with her, she’s safe. Inuyasha will never let anything happen to her. Kagome tries to keep the detail of your adventures to a minimum because she doesn’t want to add to my worry.”

Inuyasha dropped his head in shame and guilt.

“And it turns out that I should be more worried about what happens here. Her life was taken here, in her time. She was minding her own business, in her own home, and she died at home. If you hadn’t been here to take her and bring her back I would have come home to find Kagome lying in the dried puddle of blood I saw.”

“You shouldn’t talk that way.” Inuyasha said flinching at her words.

She pulled out another skillet and scooped the cut potatoes into it and added seasoning.

“I know but until yesterday I was thinking all sorts of horrible things.”

“I know.”

“Have you found out exactly what happened?” She asked stirring the potatoes.

“Someone broke into the house, she armed herself with a knife. While trying to escape through the well he knocked her down and she fell on the knife she was carrying.” He told her gravely

“What happened to the man?” She flipped the steak again.

“She killed him.”

“Did she say how?”

“Kagome has powers. I’m not sure how much she has told you but she does. She isn’t aware of most of it and she doesn’t know how to control what she is aware of.”

“I see.” She sat again.

“Her will to survive brought it out.” Inuyasha told her.

“It was him or her and in the end it was both of them.”

“Yes.” He said looking down at his hands and then at his food. “But she’s alive and he’s not. She needs to work on putting the pieces together.”

“Yes, time is what she needs.” She clasped her hands together and gave him one of her sweetest smiles. “It’s almost ready.” She followed his gaze.

“It smells really good.” He inhaled deeply.

“Thank you.” She said as she moved to the stove.

“Do you think Kagome will be up soon?” She asked looking at him over her shoulder.

“Not sure. You told her to have an early night.” He trailed off.

“But she was up late anyway, I know.”

“You know?” Inuyasha asked surprised. They hadn’t been loud enough to wake anyone.

“I’m a mother, Inuyasha.” She said giving him a brilliant smile. “Not only was it the best nights sleep I’ve had in the past week but at the same time I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t dropping no eves but I could hear your voices.”

“Dropping no eves.” Inuyasha repeated to himself. “I like that.”

“I saw it in a movie.” She told him.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and groaned, his expression much like the one Sota made just earlier when he recalled his movie experience.

“That’s right.” She said, laughing, coming over to him to retrieve his uneaten eggs and toast. “You don’t care for movies. That’s okay. Your first movie shouldn’t have been a musical.” She looked at him hard. Sizing me up, he thought. “I’m not sure what would be the best movie for you.” She laughed. “Maybe something simple that has a lot of fighting scenes.” While she spoke he replaced his eggs and toast with steak and potatoes.

Inuyasha blushed and silently took his breakfast. “I’m not sure if I want to repeat the experience.” He said and grabbed his steak with both hands and took a big bite. It was delicious.

“I guess it’s not something that is supposed to be part of your life.” She commented thoughtfully.

“So not all movies are musicals?” Inuyasha asked with a mouth full of food.

“No, most movies aren’t musical.”

“That’s good.” Inuyasha said after swallowing. “That couldn’t be too much fun.”

“When they sing a song every time they turn around it can become a bit much. Especially if you don’t like the song they are singing.” She laughed.

“Yeah.” Was all he said, he didn’t know what to say really. This was the longest conversation he’d ever had with her. It was strange actually.

“I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for Kagome.” She said suddenly, her voice soft and serious. “For all of us.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“But I want you to know how grateful I am. If there is ever anything I could do for you ask it of me.”

“There is no debt to be repaid either.” Inuyasha raised his hand as if in protest.

“I’m not saying that there is.” She said grabbing his hand she pulled it down to rest in bother of hers on the table. “But I feel compelled, without anyone’s permission, to be of service to you whenever I am able. I always have been but now I find myself seeking opportunities to do so.” She pointed to what was left of his food.

“Thanks for the food.” He said looking down at his soon to be empty plate.

“If you want breakfast, lunch, and dinner I will make it.”

“I would love to eat three times a day.”

“It’s settled then.”

“Since I met Kagome, I get to eat three times.”

“She’s told me how much you love ramen noodles.”

“But before then I usually only ate once a day. Sometimes I didn't eat at all.”

“You can survive like that?” She asked looking down at their hands.

“Even as a hanyou I don’t need much food.”

“You seem to really like food.” She commented with laughter in her voice as she eyed his plate.

"I do but I don’t need that much really.” He said with a guilty look.

“I think just about everybody eats more than they need, but sometimes, most times, that’s a good thing. Especially if they could be as active as you.”

Inuyasha just smiled. At a loss for words, he began eating again. Kanya looked up at the ceiling the in the direction of Kagome’s room. “After you finish your breakfast what are your plans?”

“Plans?” Inuyasha asked stupidly.

“Yes.” Again she laughed.

“Oh yeah, my plans.” He said and coughed. “Kagome might sleep for a while.” He thought of the long night they spent together and that Kagome hadn’t been asleep for all that long. “I should go and check in with the others.”

“Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and” She counted them off on her fingers, wiggling them as she thought. “Keade.”

“Yeah.” Inuyasha said and pushed his empty plate away. “They'll want to know how Kagome is.”

“That’s good, I shouldn’t forget those who are just as happy about Kagome’s return as I am.”

“I brought her straight home and they can’t come through the well so I am sure they are anxious for an update.”

“I’m sure.” She grabbed his plate and took it to the sink. She grabbed the skillets and with one in each hand she turned to Inuyasha. “This deadly situation seems to have passed, Kagome being back with us again.” She added at his confused look. “But your ultimate goal of completing the Shikon no Tama is still unfinished. Her life could still be in jeopardy.”

Inuyasha stood and purposefully walked over to her and relieved her of her skillets and placed them in the sink, and copying what he’d seen done before, he ran water over them.

“It needs to be hot.” She said pushing the handle to the left.

“I’ll do anything to keep Kagome safe. It's my first priority and has been for some time.”

She closed her eyes at his words and inhaled a deep breath, releasing it she said. “Thank you.”

He shook his head and turned away. “I’m gonna go. I won’t be gone long.”

“Anything special you’d like for lunch?” She asked following him.

“Surprise me.” He said and with a small wave he was gone. Kanya went back to the kitchen. Inuyasha went upstairs. He had to check on Kagome one last time before he left. He wanted to make sure everything was as it should be and that nothing would disturb her sleep. He preferred to have her wake up none the wiser about his being gone until he told her about it. He eased the bedroom door to see Kagome soundly sleeping, still clutching to the pillow.

“Kagome? He whispered. No answer.

Good enough, he decided. He walked to her window and eased it open. With one last look at Kagome and a small smile he was gone.

“Nee-chan wants to know if you’re going to bring her pillow and hairbrush?”

The sound of Sota’s voice snapped him from his thoughts. I can’t do that, Inuyasha decided, Sota come upon me and I didn’t even sense him, no hear exactly what he just said.

“What?” He asked stupidly. Sota just stared at him for a moment before he started laughing.

“Never mind.” He walked around him. “I’ll get them for her.” He eyed the messy bed but didn’t say anything before he grabbed the pillow. “How long have you been just standing there?”

His amusement was evident and it pissed Inuyasha off because he had no idea how long he had been standing there remembering.

“I’m sorry.” He said sarcastically. “Where you wanting to stand here?”

Inuyasha felt great satisfaction when Sota’s eyes widened and he turned an interesting color of red.

“Nee-chan really wants her things.” Sota help up the brush he’d taken off Kagome’s desk as he passed it, attempting to leave. “I’ll just take these to her.”

Inuyasha didn’t turn until long after Sota was gone. He turned when he sensed the presence of the dog.

“Sneaks.” He said uninterested. “How you been, boy?”

If he was expecting Sneaks to wag his tail and come running for attention he was sadly mistaken. Sneaks let out a soft growl, the left side of his lip twitched up and down, showing teeth.

“What’s wrong with you?” Inuyasha asked laughing at him.

Sneaks started barking.

“You’re ferocious, you know. Maybe if I was a human I would be scared of you.” Inuyasha’s laughed comment only caused more ferociousness from Sneaks.

When Sneaks charged at him Inuyasha had been waiting. He had been unsure if the dog would actually try to bite him but he had waited none-the-less. Sneaks aimed for his ankles and feet. Inuyasha dropped to his knees at the last second and pinned Sneaks down.

“Okay.” Inuyasha said applying just a bit more pressure to keep the wiggling dog from escaping. “You need to calm down.”

Sneaks attempted barking but found it difficult with Inuyasha’s knee on his neck.

“I’m not hurting you but knock it off before I lose my patience.” He said.

“What is going on up here?”

Before Kanya reached the top of the stairs and before Inuyasha could answer her question Sneaks let out a gut-wrenching cry.

“Why are you kneeling on Sneaks?” She stopped in front of them. Inuyasha instantly got to his feet. Sneaks, in Inuyasha’s opinion, put on a glorious ‘wounded dog’ performance.

“He was snarling and barking at me and then he went for my feet. I didn’t hurt him, I promise, I don’t know why he’s suddenly crying like that.”

“He started when he heard my voice.” She said as she knelt down to check him. “Are you hurt?” She asked in a baby voice.

Sneaks shook himself, as if he were wet, licked her hand, and took off downstairs leaving them to stare after him.

Frowning, Kanya looked up at Inuyasha and then stood. “He's a stray.” She said still uncertain.

“Maybe he thought he was protecting Sota.” Inuyasha offered a little reluctantly. He didn’t like making confessions.

“Protect Sota from you?” Her surprise was evident.

“He was laughing at me so I was kind of sarcastic and I guess Sneaks sensed it.”

“And he felt the need to protect Sota.” She finished for him. “Possibly.” She smiled at him. “We won’t worry about it now. Come on, Kagome is wondering what you are doing up here.” Grabbing his had she lead him downstairs.

“You look much better.” They heard Sota say when they came in.

“Thanks.” Kagome said dryly as she brushed her hair. She looked up when she saw her mother enter with Inuyasha in tow. “Where have you been? I was hoping to brush my hair before Sota came home so he wouldn’t tease me.”

“You got your brush and pillow, be satisfied.” Was all he said as he walked over to look at her ankle.

“I’m sorry.” Sota whispered to Inuyasha, he had been standing at the end of the couch. He had dropped his head when Inuyasha came over.

Inuyasha looked at him, his expression soft, and reached out a hand and ruffled his hair.

“Now tell Sota how horrid his hair looks and that he should see to it immediately” Kanya told Kagome.

Kagome laughed, a devilish glimmer in her eyes. “You remind me of an old broom that needs to be thrown away.”

Sota raked his fingers through his hair.

“Now you look like an old rake. Keep at it maybe we can get a mop.”

Sota used the palm of his hands to mash his hair down. Kagome could see a smile trying desperately to shine through as he struggled to keep it hidden.

“Let me mash your hair down like that for you.” Kagome offered sweetly. “It really would be my pleasure.”

“I’m gonna go brush my hair.” Sota announced with his arms up and over his head, as much as it would cover at least.

“Don’t run with your arms over your head. It might cause static electricity.” Kagome laughed to herself. “You’ll have a hard time brushing that out.”

“Okay that’s enough.” Kanya told her and turned to Sota. “Go on upstairs.”

Sota ran from the room.

“When you’re done.” Kanya called after him. “You can have some Miso soup.”

“It better be the white kind.” Sota said stopping in the doorway before disappearing from sight.

“Now.” She said clapping her hands together. “Want to tell me how you went from being asleep upstairs to being carried in from outside by Inuyasha with a sprained ankle?”

“It was interesting.” Kagome said.

“Indeed it was.” Inuyasha said nodding his head.

“Well Inuyasha woke me up and apparently I wasn’t fully awake when I got out of bed and stepped into the hall.” Kagome paused and closed her eyes.

“And?”

Kagome smiled slightly. “Sorry, the medicine has kicked in.” Her smile deepened when she heard her mother laugh.

“Go ahead, what happened?” Kanya urged.

“I was sleepwalking.” Kagome laughed then stopped herself suddenly. “I was dreaming that I was looking for Sota and he was in the well and so I was going to go in when suddenly I felt hands on my back and they shoved me in.” Kagome pointed to Inuyasha. “He kept me from hurting myself worse.”

Kanya frowned deeply. “How odd. I’ve never known you to be a sleepwalker.”

“I don’t think I ever have before.”

“You saw all of this, Inuyasha?”

“Yeah, she was acting weird.”

Kagome rolled her eyes remembering his comment. “He said I flung myself into the well.” Kagome said to her mother.

“Why would she do that?”

“I don’t know.” Inuyasha said defensively. “I didn’t know what to think, you were the one who did it.”
“At least you didn’t break anything.” Kanya said to Kagome.

“Thank goodness.” Kagome smiled. “I like the medicine. When did you get it?”

“I have a few more if you need them. A few weeks ago I had a leashed dog, I was taking him to the back for shots, and before I could get him to the back someone came in with a cat. When the dog saw the cat he hurt my shoulder yanking the leash from my hand while I was trying to get him back.”

“And if I know Sonya she made you see a doctor.” Kagome supplied.

"She did. He said it was a pulled muscle and gave me some muscle relaxers and gave me something for pain in case I needed it. The muscle relaxers did the trick, though, so I never took the pain pills. I have nine more left.”

“Poor, Mom.” Kagome said.

“All better now.” She said flexing the arm in question. “But I still want to know why you’re sleepwalking.” She said suddenly.

“I thought I was dreaming still. It was hurting my ankle that woke me up, I think.”

“Sota’s afraid of the well. Always has been.”

“I know.” Kagome agreed. “It made no sense to me either but what can I say?”

“Not much to say.” Inuyasha spoke up. “At least at this point.”

“Yeah.” Kagome said frowning, her brain was too fuzzy from the painkillers. She needed to wait a little while to think things through.

“Let's not worry about it anymore right now.” Kanya said when she heard the sounds of Sota coming back downstairs. “Just rest. Do you want anything else?”

“No thanks, Mom.” Kagome said closing her eyes.

“You want some Miso soup, Inuyasha?”

“No, I'm okay.”

When Kagome and Inuyasha were alone in the living room he asked, “How are you feeling? Does your ankle hurt?”

Kagome slowly opened her eyes. “No, not until I forget I’m hurt and move my foot, that is.”

“Then don’t move it.”

“Helpful advice there, Inuyasha.” Kagome rolled her eyes.

“Yeah it is.” Inuyasha said and watched as Kagome leaned her head back and closed her eyes again.

“I don't wanna go to sleep.” Kagome laughed and draped her arm over her eyes. “But the medicine is making me feel sleepy.”

Inuyasha sat on the arm of the couch, his look thoughtful as he watched Kagome. “Your mom said it would make you tired.”

Kagome smiled. “'Yeah, she did.” And laughed again. “Oh well.”

“So, you gonna go to sleep?” Inuyasha asked her.

Silence.

“Kagome?”

“Huh? What?” Kagome asked as her eyes popped open and then closed halfway.

“Never mind.” He told her with a smile. “You answered me already.” He informed her.

“Okay.” Kagome said her eyes closing again.

Inuyasha said nothing as he sat and watched Kagome sleep. At least he was pretty sure she was asleep. “Kagome?”

Kagome’s words came flooding back to her as he watched her peaceful sleeping face. “You were always so gentle with me, Dad.”

“You dreamed about your father, didn’t you?” Inuyasha whispered to her. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Inuyasha stood and out of the corner of his eye he saw a blanket neatly folded on another one of the chairs. He grabbed it and carefully draped it over her.

“Do you really know what's going on?” Inuyasha said frowning at the pair of them. He didn’t like all this thinking. How come things just couldn’t have gone back to exactly as they were? He wondered to himself. With Kagome now brought back couldn’t they just carry on with tracking down Naraku and the jewel shards?

It was widely known how much he hated delays but he couldn’t find it in himself to be angry or annoyed. What was the use of fighting with Naraku when Kagome needed to heal and find her peace of mind? Destroying Naraku was a top priority but Kagome was number one. Naraku using Kagome against him was out of the question. The hunt would just have to wait.

“But I shall destroy you, Naraku.” Inuyasha said to himself. Sighing deeply his nose caught the smell of food from the kitchen and his stomach growled. He smiled, “Guess I’m hungry after all.” He made his way to the kitchen with one last glance back at Kagome.




AUTHOR’S NOTE: YAY! Another chapter finished. Sorry that it’s taken me so long get this one done but writers block can be a major pain. I’ve written other stories to keep myself writing. My best friend Ai has told me everyday to write. Want you all to know that lol, even when really tired she urged me anyway. She accepted no excuses lol. I LOVE YOU AI!! And Ai is the bestest friend, she kept me company on the phone while at my gma’s house, she jokes with me, teases me, lies to me lol, and is bluntly honest with me. All the things best friends should be.

So I hope that this chapter has made the wait worth it. Not sure when the next update will be out but I’ve got plot swirling around in my brain.


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