InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love Ain't Forgotten Easily ❯ What's wrong with this pict...sorry, I mean body...? ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7

Kagome yelped and scooted away from Inu-Yasha's prone form. Had she just…touched him?

He opened one eye to look at her crossly. “What's wrong with you, wench? You look like you just saw a ghost.” He snorted at his own joke.

“No.” She shook her head. “I just saw a real human. And I'm still seeing.”

“What?” He sat up, showing some serious effort. “What does that—?”

His hand clenched, leaving grooves in the dirt. He looked down and patted the ground, listening to the soft thumps it made. Then he flicked his gaze back to Kagome.

“What the hell happened to me?” he asked. “Why am I corporeal?”

“I-I don't know,” she replied.

He looked over his shoulder. “I don't know either, but I forgot to tell you something. Tonight's the new moon, and I'm going to be a human.”

“A human?” She was still trying to grasp the solid part.

“I'm a hanyou; one night a month, on the new moon, I become full human. Got it, wench?” His ears perked up. “By the way, people are finally coming.”

With that, Inu-Yasha passed out.

***

Shippo led the way through the dense thicket, finally having caught Kagome's scent. The odd thing was that he could smell someone else, too.

He burst through the edge of the forest and saw Kagome turn around to look at him; in front of her lay a human boy.

“Kagome!” He leapt at her as the rest of the search party appeared. “What happened? Why were you screaming for help? Who's that?”

“I fell off the cliff,” she said, hearing collective gasps from within the assemblage. “I landed on a shelf, luckily for me, and that boy heard my screams and saved me. But he overexerted himself and passed out.”

Shippo stared at the unconscious boy; there was something familiar about that face…

He recognized it with an abrupt clarity and swiveled his head toward Kagome; seeing his wide eyes, she nodded once.

Two of the men heaved Inu-Yasha's body up off the ground and set off through the wood, leaving Kagome to get up and walk with the others.

They had set out bright yellow electrical tape every few trees, so the group was able to find their way back through the dark garden relatively easily.

***

Inu-Yasha was put in one of the spare bedrooms and Kagome named herself his caretaker. If he suddenly turned back into a ghost, she didn't want some poor person to think they had lost their mind.

And if he didn't change back to spirit form, he was going to become hanyou again in the morning. That would mean he'd be plastered with charm paper.

Save for being out cold, Inu-Yasha was otherwise fine—especially for someone who'd been a phantom five hundred years. His heartbeat and pulse were at normal levels, he was breathing fine, he was solid…

The men who'd carried him back had thought his clothes were a little out-of-date, but lately it was considered fashionable to wear clothes from the Sengoku Jidai, so they dismissed them.

Now Kagome sat next to the bed where Inu-Yasha slept, her head falling onto her chest every now and then only to have her jerk awake once more.

Finally, around 3:30 a.m., she dropped off for good.

***

Inu-Yasha stirred; that had been one weird dream. He'd fantasized that he had saved Kagome and somehow been given a body afterwards. But how could that have ever happened? Ghosts couldn't touch things, only move them through telekinesis.

He sat up, feeling a blanket fall off him. It was still dark, so he was still human. He turned and was just about to climb off the bed he was in when he caught what had just happened. He turned around little by little and reached out to touch the quilt.

It was warm. He felt it. He could pick it up with his fingers.

Oh, gods, it wasn't a dream.

He whirled around and saw Kagome, asleep in a chair next to his bed. Her head was resting on her chest, and she seemed to be in the middle of a deep sleep.

She'll hurt her neck sleeping like that. He stood and walked over to her. Carefully, he gathered the sleeping girl into his arms and transferred her to the bed. She rolled onto her side, murmuring something about pancakes. He recognized this as one of the spare bedrooms. They must've put me in here while I was out.

He sat on the edge of the bed, managing to avoid waking Kagome up. What am I going to do? There's no telling how long I'll be like this.

Lost deep in thought, he didn't notice Kagome revolve in her sleep until a pair of arms locked around his waist. Surprised, he turned around.

Her eyes were half-open and completely fogged with sleep. She was staring up at him, smiling sweetly. He nearly jumped out of his skin when she spoke.

“Come to bed, Inu-Yasha; it's late. You need your rest.” The arms around his midsection tugged slightly. “You did a nice thing for me today; you deserve to rest. Come to bed, dog-boy.”

The poor ghost-turned-human could only stare at her in shock.

“Kagome, I think you need to lay down and go back to sleep,” he said, removing her arms. “Okay?”

“Only if you come with me.” She sat up and this time locked her arms around his chest. She dragged him down until he was laying next to her.

“You know, Kagome, maybe I should go check and make sure there's no one trying to sneak in.” He went to move away, but her arms tightened their grip.

“Door's locked,” she mumbled into his back.

Great. He lay there, trying to think up another excuse. “Uh, how about—”

“Windows are locked too. Secret entrances? I don't think there are any.” She released him and sat up again. “Why are you trying to leave?”

How can you hold a conversation when you're mostly asleep? He looked back at her and realized she was about to cry. He sighed. “Okay, wench, I'll rest.”

She smiled and lay back down next to him. “Okay, dog-boy.”

***

Inu-Yasha managed to get off the bed without Kagome noticing at dawn the next morning. He stood at the window as the sun peeped over the horizon, and felt his senses sharpening, along with his claws and fangs. He felt his ears slide up his head and become more sensitive, and saw a few errant strands of hair turn from black to silver.

Suddenly his nose was attacked with smells, nearly overwhelming the inu-hanyou who had spent the last five centuries in an almost-odorless, tasteless world.

Gah! He choked as air pollution finally hit him. Gods, that smells awful!

As he finished hacking, he noticed Kagome was moving. He tried to stifle the sound, but it was too late; she sat up and looked over at him.

“You still solid?” she asked, yawning.

“Seems like it.” Deciding that sounded too tame, he added, “Wench.”

“Dog-boy.” She grinned. “I don't suppose you want breakfast?”

Great, she's a morning person. “Wouldn't your parents notice if a silver-haired, dog-eared hanyou appeared at the table instead of a black-haired human?”

“Oh. Speaking of dog ears…” She crossed the room and, before he could even tell what she was planning, reached up and rubbed his ears. He was too shocked to move; no one had ever touched his ears…not even Kikyo.

She finished and let go. “Sorry about that. I just couldn't resist.”

He managed to regain his voice. “That doesn't solve our problem.”

“Hm. Well, I could just say that I fell asleep and he ran off.”

“Okay, but what about these?” He pointed to his ears, only to have her reach up and rub them again. “That's not what I meant…”

“I know, but it helps me think.”

But it doesn't help me think. He glared, but made no move to stop her.

Kagome suddenly grinned and released his ears. “I know! We'll say you're an old friend of Shippo's parents and wanted to come find him!”

“Will the runt go along with it? And how do we hide my ears?”

“Of course he will. He figured out it was you last night and should realize that being any part youkai is hazardous. Heck, my family doesn't even know about him being a kitsune, remember? As for the ears…” She looked around. “Hm. Maybe Sota has a hat or something that we can use to hide them.”

She sprinted to the door. “If all else fails, we can hide you until we find a plan! Stay!”

Who does that wench think she is, telling me to stay? A dog trainer?

***

Twenty minutes later, she managed to find a red bandana. It was then she remembered a further part of the problem. His clothes…

She dashed down towards where the boxes of old hand-me-down clothing that no one had seen in years had been put, quickly estimating Inu-Yasha's size. She found older clothes that she sincerely hoped no one would recall and ran back to the room.

“Here.” She shoved the clothes into his clawed hands. Those will have to stay, along with the fangs and amber eyes. “Put those on. That way they won't be suspicious. Then we'll get back to the ear problem. Okay?”

He nodded, and she went outside to wait.

She heard him move about a little bit, swear at the clothes, and a small rip before he let her know it was okay to come back in.

She pulled the bandanna out and beckoned for him to lean down. She swiftly tied it around his head and stood back to look at her work.

His ears were hidden. The claws, fangs, and eyes weren't too noticeable…she hoped. And the black Metallica T-shirt and ratty old jeans seemed to suit him just fine, along with the tennis shoes that she'd picked up…somewhere along the way.

“I think you're good,” she said. “Now we can go and I'll start breakfast.”

He followed after her, not liking the shoes one bit. She hadn't found him any socks, either. They were just about to enter the kitchen when he saw something.

“Kagome, you look like hell.”

She froze and looked down. The dress had been nearly ripped to shreds, and she finally became aware of how indecent it was.

“Thanks, Inu-Yasha.” She ran off towards her own room.

Rolling his eyes, Inu-Yasha continued to the kitchen. He had watched people in there for years, so he knew exactly what he was doing and where he wanted to go.

He already had bacon in the pan and was in the process of getting out the eggs when Kagome reappeared. She now had on a pair of jean shorts and a tank top, and had managed to get in a quick shower and brush her hair. A fully informed Shippo was also with her, but the kid was only half-awake. He sat in his chair and yawned, trying to wake.

Kagome looked over and watched Inu-Yasha for a few moments in awe. He's fast…or I'm slow.

“Hey, Kagome, how does your family like their eggs?” he asked over his shoulder. When she didn't answer, he turned around. “Hello? Earth to wench? Are you in there?”

“What?” She looked at him, and berated herself severely when she realized that she'd been entranced by the rippling muscles under his shirt as he moved. She flushed. “What did you say again, Inu-Yasha?”

He noticed the blush and smirked; he had noticed the little wench watching his back. “I said, how does your family like their eggs?”

“Oh. Scrambled for everyone besides Jii-chan. He likes his fried.”

“On it. Can you handle the toast?”

She glared. “Don't push your luck, or I'll let them all see your ears.”

“What, do you really want me covered in charms?”

“It might be an improvement on your looks.” Satisfied she had won, she walked over and pulled out the toaster and a loaf of bread.

Inu-Yasha smirked; she'd left herself wide open for that one. “You didn't seem to have a problem with how I looked when you were checking me out a few minutes ago.” His grin grew wider as he saw her pause with a slice of bread half-in, half-out of the toaster. At the table, Shippo was finally awake and watching the argument. Score one for Inu-Yasha.

Kagome freaked. How'd he know? Does he have eyes in the back of his head too?

But she wasn't about to let him win this battle of wits! “Checking you out? You must think pretty high of yourself, dog-boy. I was merely noting the lack of muscles…” Okay, that one was a complete lie.

He turned to her, spatula in hand. “Is that so? Well, I could say the same for your lack of breasts, then, couldn't I?” He pointed with the kitchen tool.

Kagome's jaw fell open. Did he…did he just…?

Smirking, Inu-Yasha returned to the bacon. She was lying about the muscles, so I returned the favor with another fib.

Score two for Inu-Yasha!

Kagome was speechless for the next few moments. He's good…but not good enough!

She remained silent as she buttered the toast that popped up and put in more. Then she finally turned to him, grinning evilly. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, but was more concerned with the eggs. They were trying to burn.

Fortunately, she never got to say anything. Her family chose that moment to appear in the kitchen and immediately demand the identity of the stranger. Kagome took over the breakfast, making it seem as if she'd been doing it all along.

“Inu-Yasha.” He stepped forward, offering his hand. “Hiroshi Higurashi, right?”

Kagome's father cautiously took the offered hand. “Yes, I am. Why are you here?”

“Ah, that.” Inu-Yasha grinned, and Kagome had to contain her giggles at how strange he looked being openly sociable. “I was a friend of Shippo's parents. When I heard they died, I came looking for the little runt. It took me a while, but someone finally told me he was here.”

“Did you come to take him away?” Sota stepped forward, looking anxious.

“Only if the kid wants to come. It's his decision.” Inu-Yasha moved along. “And you must be Komiko Higurashi. Kagome forgot to inform me how beautiful you are.”

Kagome nearly burst into laughter, but managed to turn it into a quick cough that sounded like “Suck-up.” Flattery will get you nowhere with my mother, Inu-Yasha.

However, her mother laughed and thanked the young man. Kagome rolled her eyes. Then again, it is you and your tight little ass—

She froze in mid-thought. I did not just think that. I did not just think that Inu-Yasha has a—stop! Stop while you're ahead, Kagome!

Forget ahead, I want behind. Kagome had to excuse herself in a great hurry. She darted out the front door and had to take several very deep breaths before she was calm enough to finally continue thinking straight.

But then he had to come out and check on her…