InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Moon; New You ❯ New Moon; New You ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: All characters, places, etc. belong to Rumiko Takahashi… *tear*

New Moon; New You

Chapter 1: I Said I Was Sorry…

Brilliantly white lights flickered outside her window. Kagome watched silently as one by one they would be doused as people gave up the night to the wild things and succumbed to slumber. The violet tinted sky shaded into impenetrable blues and blacks. Shattered pieces of what seemed to be sparkling diamonds gathered about the empty patch where a moon should've been. Kagome felt as if there were a dark hole in her too, but hers was brimming with emotions that rolled around inside her, clashing with each other, and then subsiding, only to rise later. Like an ocean of sky; she, too, even had the stars. But hers did not shine pearl. No, hers shone a deceiving shade of cherry. Lonely. Cold. So many things bottled up inside she felt as if they would pour from her mouth, but then again she felt so hollow, and often times they wouldn't escape from her lips, but her eyes.

Kagome knelt in her warm nightdress before the window and rested her head upon her crossed arms lying on the sill. She toyed absent-mindedly with an indigo sleeve, trying not to cry, again. This was her second night at home. Funny how it seemed longer. In fact her thoughts constantly wandered to a different time all together. Or more importantly the people in it. And one in particular. Unknowingly he had left claw gashes upon her beating heart. Teeth marks on her soul. His silvery hair-strands wrapped about her mind, pulling it towards him.

She shivered slightly as a draft blew through the open window. The curtains ruffled briefly beside her before settling back to its place. She felt intoxicated; poisoned. As if trying to rid itself of the drug, her body gave a slight heave that pushed her lungs to sigh. But the sigh wasn't entirely pure.

"Inu Yasha…" she breathed.

~*~

A world away another person seemed to hear Kagome's lost cry. Protectively cloaking himself in layers of coolness and blasé, he hid himself and his weakness. Precariously balanced upon a high tree limb letting his arms dangle, just as uselessly as he felt they were, by his side. He sat slumped over in feigned sleep, hoping to fool himself. Inu Yasha strained his pathetic human ears to catch rustles in the deepening darkness. He heard nothing. Only inside his head had there been ceaseless noises. Black hair draped his hardened face. In his mind he beat his weakness into a corner and grinned demonically as it hunched over submissively, unaware that the only thing he had accomplished was to let his true vulnerability slip through the back door. Constantly he struggled and battled with unchecked thoughts and feelings he didn't dare let take a hold of him. And, almost entirely perhaps, to prove he housed testosterone, there entered his own immoral little enjoyment of watching his two greatest tormentors torment each other in an alluring way. Kikyo, well muscled and powerful wrestled in the nude with the pure and emotional Kagome. A dirty little grin played across his face.

But, behold how true! Was it not fact that two bodies wrought from the same soul scuffled for possession? Clothing them would simply be shielding the truth…or so he told himself to justify his delight. But which did her cheer for? Now there was the dilemma. At times he felt not just half-demon, but half-whole. And during these times it was as if there was a tiny snap inside him, as if something broke while another joined. And then he wasn't just a piece but an entire, and it took more than one person to reach that fullness. Sometimes, when he was alone, it was Kikyo that made him feel complete. And yet he couldn't forget Kagome. When they were together they weren't just two together but together in the sense of being one.

His de-clawed hand covered his face in frustration as he drove himself crazy. Then ideas like,maybe ShesshÅ-maru was right, I am just weak, and, I need ahumanfemale companion to be with me. Or, I am truly too pathetic to exist on my own, flooded his mind. He never stopped to consider that his purebred father had been remarkably stronger than either Inu Yasha or ShesshÅ-maru and he had taken Inu Yasha's mortal mother for camaraderie.

Slowly his fingertips traveled down his face to brush his lips. A slight blush played across his checks in memory of Kikyo. That was something that Kagome had never done. And perhaps never will. But Kikyo, she had not really meant it. She was after something else and not his heart. And, painfully, he reminded himself that she was dead. There was so much that he hadn't told her. So much he wanted to express. He never got to help her. She had suffered because of him. All he wanted, needed, right then was to simply say he was sorry.

"Oh, Kikyo…" he muttered, reflecting on what he could've done.

He should've done, but he just didn't see it. And then he was aware of something else that had gone undetected that he regretted noticing.

"Inu Yasha! I….I can't believe you! I…maybe…I thought you were…Oh, FORGET IT!"

And with that Inu Yasha looked up to see Kagome, and from his high perch he could see her heading back towards the well. He had been so self-absorbed, and with his extremely dulled hearing, he hadn't apprehended that she was there. This looks bad, he mentally cursed. But then added, keh, for good measure. Convincing himself that he didn't worry about what Kagome thought, he leaned back against the tree.

But what if Kagome needed him? Then again, what did he care? Unfortunately, he did care, and just might have realized it too late.

"Kagome. Kagome!"

There was no answer. So, he did what he would have always done. He jumped off the branch. Now, just to explain, you must understand that he only experienced human fragility every 28 days, and those days he spent alone, not moving, until the sun rose and lifted his curse with the light. He would sit in his tree `til the dawn. And so he didn't comprehend that jumping down at least 35 feet wasn't a good idea. Well, not until he landed at least.

A sickening crack broke the night air, followed immediately by Inu Yasha's deep intake of breath, but he never cried out. Pain was nothing knew, but that didn't mean it didn't exist. His right leg was folded under him at an impossible angle. Only, now it was possible. But hopefully never would be again. Not able to contain his anger at the whole damn world any longer, he yelled.

"SHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIT!"

And then he slowly pulled out his mangled appendage from underneath him, but quickly gave up when it resulted in more agony.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome sprinted, trying to outrun the demons that followed her. All her guilt and beliefs. Her desires. Him. Distantly she heard her name called, but it seemed so far away now. She tried to stop crying, to see if he had said her name, and that it wasn't Kikyo's, but at the thought of that…woman… she started to hiccup sporadically. And then the tears came again. She thought that maybe, if she tried hard enough, that she could win over her. That if he really wanted her enough, that Kikyo would remain nothing more than a memory. But that hadn't been the case. Fatigue washed over and she collapsed upon her knees where she stood. She drew the light jacket around her a little closer. So great had her concern and longing for Inu Yasha been that she had left her house in her nightshirt, only having time to grab a windbreaker.

The echo of something splitting rattled her ears. Once again she found the strength to quiet her emotions to sobs in hopes of hearing more. But this time something did follow. His booming cuss ended in a shriek that seemed to electrify the air. But instead of having the affect she would have expected, Kagome grew quite angry. How dare he toy with her?! What was she to him, and why did she mind? And why didn't he?

After gaining composure, she started to walk in the opposite direction from where she had formerly bolted. She took her time, not entirely concerned that Inu Yasha was injured. This was more for herself, to prove that Inu Yasha could not do without her. Not caring to admit that it worked visa-versa.

After coming back in sight of the tree, Kagome shuddered. What had Kikyo been to him? Had they, could they of, really loved each other? And if so what right was it of hers to tear them apart? She shook her head violently. She had not ripped them asunder. Death had done that. Kikyo was dead. Nothing more than a parasite clinging to Kagome's soul. With her set determination she re-entered the little glade beneath the tree.

Inu Yasha lay there, obviously in great agony. His dark head lying against the rough bark on the mighty tree's trunk, while his leg was apparently broken. He was slightly panting while sweat trickled down his forehead. Instantly Kagome felt awful for him, but in typical Inu Yasha fashion, he had to ruin the moment.

His lavender eyes pierced hers, "What's you're PROBLEM?!"

And then her defenses where up, "Mine?! How about you?! Pervert! I don't want to know what you were dreaming about!"

"What do you mean?"

"You were thinking of Kikyo, don't deny it!"

"Why would I DENY it?!"

"So you WERE?!?!?!"

"No shit! And what do YOU care?!"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"And what in the seven hells were you doin' here?!"
"Because I CARE!"

"AND…wha?… Keh."

And then Kagome did as Kagome does. She started to cry.

"Because it was the new moon, and I got worried, and I was alone, and I knew you would be alone…"

He stared at her, eyes wide with shock. His mouth opened fully. He hadn't meant to make her cry! He couldn't get his jaw to work the way he wanted it to.

"I was scared!"

She just kept blurting out reasons, between gasps. His confusion growing every moment, he completely forgot his leg.

"And then you go and dream of her! And even say her name right in front of-"

"I'm sorry."

He had said it so quietly, Kagome was scarce sure she heard him.

"But you know she-"

"I SAID I WAS SORRY!"

He looked at her with such fury, not at Kagome, but at the words… at the fact he had to say them. They stared at each other for long moments, both alone with their thoughts. Silently, gracefully, Kagome walked over to Inu Yasha and knelt beside his bad leg. His expression quickly changed from anger to curiosity tinted with fear. …She wasn't gonna cry again was she?!

Carefully she laid her hands on his right shin, lightly stroking it, feeling the fracture. Her lips turned up in a grimace when she found it. She was going to have to straighten his leg…

"AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"

Before Inu Yasha had caught on to what she was doing, Kagome had pulled the leg out of its tangled position. Gently, she laid it back down in front of her, trying not to catch his eye.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" he howled.

Without answering him, she got up to look for two sticks of about the same length, but before she got even three steps away Inu Yasha was already jumping down her throat, "And where are you going?"

Another two steps…,"Hey! Can't you hear me! I asked where you where going!"

"I'll be right back," she replied without even turning around, too wrapped up in the procedures they had taught her in gym to do in cases of emergency such as this.

And still as she left and walked further into the forest she could still hear his one-sided conversation.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Hey, Kagome?"

"Kagome?…KAGOME!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What was that wench thinking, leaving him all alone?! And with an injury no less. It was her fault that he was hurt.

[flashback] "Because it was the new moon, and I got worried…"

Was she worried about him? His expression softened as he thought about how frightened Kagome looked when she was telling him why she came. The tears that silently rolled down her cheeks…

Inu Yasha's hand reached out on impulse, as if he were going to stroke the side of Kagome's face. His fingers stretched out and brushed air. Something inside him snapped and he shook his head vigorously. What was he thinking? He immediately withdrew his hand and sat back, the former scowl already upon his face.

So what if Kagome was scared? Bah. It's not like he cared. He was glad she wasn't here to witness his little act.

Leaning even harder into the old tree he stared out into the dark night. His sight merely human and the absence of the moon made it rather difficult to make out much beyond ten feet. He glared into the darkness; passing by the seconds. It didn't take him long.

"KAGOME!!!!!"

He was sick of waiting.

"WENCH! WHERE DID YOU GO?!"

When she didn't come he started to pout. His leg still hurt terribly, and he convinced himself it was because Kagome had pulled it straight and not because it was broken. Either way it was her fault. What was she doing anyway? Looking for a picnic cloth?

A slight rustle from the foliage at his left caused a jump in his thoughts. He concentrated on the plants, not wanting to be surprised again. A thin figure immerged and separated from the shadows. Kagome had returned.

"About time," Inu Yasha sniffed.

Kagome pretended not to hear him and instead focused on taking her jacket off. He watched with interest as she sat by his right leg yet again. Tenderly she lifted the leg and laid her coat beneath it before putting it back down. And then she put a long stick alongside his inner thigh, and then a second on the outside.

"What are you doing?" Inu Yasha asked, tilting his head as she picked up the arms of her coat.

"Setting it," she commented casually, making a loose knot around his leg and the makeshift splints.

Before the full impact of her words struck him, Kagome abruptly pulled the knot taunt.

If anything had been sleeping in the forest earlier, it wasn't now.

When Inu Yasha had finished screaming Kagome warned him that she had to do it again with the tail ends of her coat. He turned about five shades paler.

"Ready?"

Inu Yasha gulped and then nodded.

Kagome gave him a sympathetic look before wrapping the final binding. He bit into his lip to silence the cry, and lucky for him he was human because if he had fangs he wouldn't of just bled a little. Kagome crawled up next to him and pulled her knees up to her chest under the nightdress. When the pain finally subsided Inu Yasha turned to look at her. She caught his eyes and turned quickly to look at her knees.

"Sorry," she muttered.

He just stared at her, frowning when a light breeze caused her to shiver.

"I didn't mean…. I just wanted to see how you were doing. All this tro-" she was hushed mid word when a red cloak was draped over her shoulders.

Kagome glanced up towards him in astonishment. He was staring straight ahead, the tiniest blush played across his nose and cheekbones. He didn't want to met her eyes…he was afraid of what he would do if he met her eyes…

Curiosity got the better of him and he glimpsed down at her face. He startled a bit and then turned away, very red now. What was that expression he had seen? An image of her was burned into his mind. He kept mulling over it, thinking hard. She had looked so delicate and soft…almost like she does right before she cries. But this was different. It felt…warm.

A slight weight was pressed against his arm. Inu Yasha went rigid and all the hairs on his neck were sticking out. Kagome was leaning on him. He felt hyper sensitive. He was extremely aware of every place they were touching. Her entire side was pushed up against his, her leg was just barely brushing his bad one, and now he could feel her head against his shoulder. That was quite a bit of contact, but he longed for it to be more. He was resisting the urge to pull her close and…

Kagome smiled and breathed a small sigh of contentment.

It was enough to push Inu Yasha over the edge. Before he could stop himself his arm wrapped around her and pulled their bodies even closer together.

Kagome was taken aback. She hadn't been expecting this.

"Inu Yasha?"

He wasn't paying attention; instead he was wondering how much longer she was going to stay. She was obviously cold, plus by now it was very late, and her family might wake up to find her gone.

Not intending harm, he asked, "When are you leaving?"

It was silent for a long time, and then he felt Kagome began to shake. Inu Yasha could hear soft sobs and the occasional intake of breath. Too late he figured out the flaw in his word choice.

"Now!" she shrieked scrambling to her feet. He grabbed her wrist to prevent her from just walking off.

"Wait a-" he began.

"Why should I? All you ever do is insult me!" she yelled as she struggled in his grasp, his haori falling off her shoulders and onto the ground, forgotten.

"That's not what I-"

"You never listen to me. And you're always calling me names…."

His temper got the better of him. "WILL YOU JUST LET ME TALK?!"

Kagome stopped thrashing and waited for him to explain, but now that Inu Yasha had the floor, he didn't know what to say. His jaw moved up and down, but no intellectual sound transpired. In exasperation she turned to go, but he held on tight. He may not know what to say to make this better, but he knew what he could do. In one sure motion he jerked her arm so she came tumbling down and caught her in his lap. While she was still reeling from the jolt, he pulled her close and brought their lips together. Kagome went limp in his strong arms and fell deeper into him. Heat surged through his body, causing every muscle to bunch up with energy. Slowly Kagome withdrew herself from the kiss, not wanting to let it go. Surprised at himself, Inu Yasha's eyes snapped open, cringing in anticipation of a negative response. Instead Kagome glanced at him tenderly and grasped the front of his yukata as she leaned into his chest. Apparently the thought of his less-than-perfect words had already left her mind.

"Inu…" she murmured, nearly inaudible.

His heart ached to kiss her again, or wrap his arms tighter around her; but instead he settled for a grimace when she readjusted herself. Kagome's weight had been delicately balanced on his broken leg, and even though she shifted until she was off of it entirely, it still hurt when it was moved in even the slightest.

"Sorry…" Kagome winced when she saw his face.

"Keh. It doesn't really hurt," he said in a way of avoiding her apology.

She gave him a side-ways glance, seeing right through his act. He may be a hanyou, but tonight Inu Yasha was human. And broken bones cause pain.

"So you say," she added with a snort, attempting to check the splint.

He refused to loosen his hold to permit her to. If anything he seized her in a tighter clasp. Assuming that he was holding her back to keep her away from his leg, she struggled against him. He didn't understand it. When he pushed her away she acted hurt, but when he tried to be close she was the one thrusting him to the side. Did she think this was easy for him? That it came naturally to admit he had feelings that weren't neutral? What the hell did she want from him?

In a burst of unreasonable anger her shoved her out of his arms; perhaps a little to hard, because she landed on his injury. His body went rigid and was run through with an electric zap of pain. Teeth sinking ever further into his bottom lip, caging a scream. Kagome swiftly righted herself and sat back on her heels near Inu Yasha as she turned to look at his wide, watery eyes. Strange, he had been nearly killed several times, and yet she had never seen him cry. Not that he was now, it just appeared that a broken bone was causing him a lot more hurt than it should. (Author's note: This is most likely due to the fact of the lack of adrenaline.)

She didn't know what to do or say. She felt bad and guilt-ridden, but it was his fault. He had been the one to push her…in fact, why had he? Wasn't he holding her just a moment ago? Now Kagome was gripped in confusion, unaware that Inu Yasha was staring at her with a vein throbbing in his temple. What, no apology?! Not even a worried look? Was she even CONCERNED?!

"WELL?" he finally thundered.

She tilted her head slightly, pointed finger nearly brushing the lip of her open mouth as she blinked a few times. What was his deal? What piece of Inu Yasha hadn't she figured out that would unravel the real him?

"Nani?" she whispered in a small voice, totally forgetting with her enigma that she had fallen on him.

"Na…NANI?!?!?! NANI?!?!?!" he was in utter shock, "YOU FELL ON MY LEG!!!! THAT'S WHAT!"

Apparently no creature within a several mile radius would be sleeping tonight.

Kagome became quiet and downcast. Nothing had gone right tonight. Inu Yasha was hurt because of her, and he was still in love with Kikyo…not that she was quite sure why she cared. Oh, hell yes she did, But she'd be damned if she admitted it to herself. And now he was mad at her. And she was cold…

Inu Yasha pretended not to notice when she began to shiver. He just simply turned his head and closed his eyes. But when she began to whimper… that he couldn't ignore. Slowly one eyelid lifted, and then the other as he focused on her. Stupid. Didn't she know he couldn't stand to see her cry? And she has to be cold with the way she's holding herself… He looked around to see his haori was out of his reach. Kagome had dropped it earlier. Well, what was he supposed to do now? He could take off his yukata and… he shook his head violently. Kagome in his shirt was an idea he would savor later.

Another thought caught his attention. He had body heat, didn't he? All he had to do was pull her close…like he had earlier….. when they had kissed. At the memory there was a sudden surge of heat, enough which would've surely kept Kagome happy, rushed to his cheeks. Ok, so now she and Kikyo were on the same level.

And with that he gently wrapped his arm around the shaking girl and drew her to his chest. He tried to act like it was the most natural thing in the world, but his blush gave him away. His tinge could only be outdone by Kagome's, who looked like a deer that had just walked into an auto show. They stayed like that, and very tense, for several minutes. They listened as normal night noises began again in their silence. Somehow the sound of bugs rubbing their legs together caused the two to relax. Slowly their aching muscles slackened until they melded together. Inu Yasha encircled her with his arms, shielding her from the elements. She buried her head into his body and sighed. That slight gesture caused his heart to pound.

"Inu Yasha?'

They way she whispered his name froze his throat. It took him what felt to be eons to crack out a response.

"Y..yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

His mind raced. What was she playing at?

"Heh?"

"Why did you kiss me?"

She could feel his heart quicken yet again. Did she say something wrong? Inu Yasha looked down to meet her blue-green eyes. His mouth was slightly slack as he searched for the answer that wouldn't give him away.

"Because I didn't want you to leave."

Yup. That pretty much gave him away.

He slowly inched towards her. Kagome got swept up in the moment and started to push herself upwards to meet him halfway…until she remembered why she had started the questioning… the thing that was eating her alive.

"What…what happened between you and Kikyo?"

Kagome could've kicked herself with how much guilt she felt at seeing his shock and hurt. But that was quickly shut out when his lilac eyes jaded and he turned away.

"Keh. What's it to you?" he muttered.

She searched his face, and not finding a trace of leeway, gave up her futile hope. She let her gaze slip back to the ground and pressed herself even harder into his chest while clutching the white fabric that was covering it. Inu Yasha was lost in his own world. One filled with horror and terrible agony. Cruel memories… cold life… a pointless existence. How could he ever possibly convey in words what it had been like? Even if he wanted to tell her.

Though it appeared that he was looking at shadows, his mind colored the black into pictures so lifelike it made him cringe.

"She was my light…"

Kagome's ears pricked. Had he spoken? It had been so soft she couldn't be sure… Gradually she raised her eyes to look at him, but had to hastily turn away. The emotion poured from him, it was so deep and old that Kagome felt to be near drowning when she saw his eyes.

"And my warmth…"

Kagome was near tears, his voice sounded so broken.

"To never belong. A brother that hates you. Two races that will do whatever they can to kill you. The only one that ever loved you… your mother…dieing before your eyes…"

He choked. Why was he telling her? Kagome probably would make fun of him for all of this. A slight rustle gave away Kagome's movements before she made them, but all the same he was caught off-guard when he felt her arms around his neck in a comforting hug. He let himself grin slightly. She would never…It wouldn't be like her. In a wash of relief he wrapped his arms around her body, one hand resting on the small of her back, the other in her hair. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he inhaled her scent. Gods…. please don't let him mess it up this time.

"Kikyo was the only person, besides my mother, that had excepted me…"

He nearly added for who I am, but that wasn't entirely true. She wanted him human. Kagome let go, and Inu Yasha was forced to as well. Maybe he should stop? Kagome settled into her former position against his chest and rolled into a ball. He leaned his head back until it contacted with rough bark. His eyes roamed in the darkness until the met what they sought. A smooth patch in the bark, an old scar…from him. And a hole. From an arrow.

"And then came betrayal…" he muttered to himself more than the girl he held even closer.

His lids closed again as memories consumed him. There wasn't only one scar from Kikyo's arrow. His fingers left Kagome's side to gently stroke a place on his pectoral near her head. He could feel her gaze on him, and he looked down, moving his head as little as possible, to see Kagome watching his hand in confusion. Sighing, he figured he couldn't really back out now. Slowly his hand came up to the collar of his yukata and pulled it down. He shifted so Kagome would move enough for the cloth to continue its exposure of the wound. When he heard her small gasp he stopped the tugging. His mouth twisted in an ugly smile as he imagined what Kagome's expression must be. So absorbed in self-hate, he wasn't ready for what she did. A light pressure was suddenly against the lightened mark on his skin, tracing its still sharp outline. That simple gesture knocked the breath out of him. Kagome lightly stroked his chest with her fingers, not quite sure why she was doing it, but positive it was the right thing to do. He felt so warm… What she didn't know was that Inu Yasha was thinking along the same lines, amazed by her soft gentleness.

Kagome was nearly startled when Inu Yasha's hand covered hers and pulled it away from his scar. She thought that he was mad. Oh, how wrong she was. She looked up in confusion with a bit of shame, only to meet an expression that didn't beget those emotions. What was this feeling creeping into her? It was almost scary, but in a way that made it a thrill and long for every second to be paused. She was stunned, and frankly so was he. Who would've guessed Inu Yasha could be affectionate? When his hand loosened its grip she flew into him, flinging her arms around his neck yet again, but their eyes stayed locked, until Inu Yasha pulled her hard into him, forcing their mouths together with a powerful want. It was a hungry kiss, intense and full of desire. But it was broken quickly when he realized that he didn't want to force her to do anything. He needn't have worried, however, because Kagome closed the silence with her own soft one that played lightly on his lips and fleeted off in seconds, and yet effected him the same. He was taken aback. She wanted him too. She needed this as much as he did. This time he was gentle and took his time, caressing her back with his dull fingertips. Kagome whimpered when she felt a slight tug on her bottom lip, Inu Yasha begging for admittance. She complied with the slightest parting to her mouth…but it was enough. His tongue slid gently from his mouth to hers, gliding upon her lips. The little hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

He could feel Kagome's hands ball up with some of his yukata in each fist. Inspired, he placed a slight pressure against her cheek with his palm, getting her to tilt her head further back, enabling him to ensure a passionate kiss. Kagome moaned into his mouth, and nearly sobbed when he finally withdrew himself from her. She felt utterly drained. Her grip loosened as she lightly swooned until Inu Yasha took her back into his arms. Somehow they were both breathing hard, even though the act hadn't seemed so tiring. In fact it felt invigorating.

They just sat there, aware that their breathing patterns matched and that the crickets were still serenading them. Conscious to each other's warmth, feel, taste…soul.

"Inu Yasha?"

"Hm?"

She didn't say anything; just looked from her newfound favorite spot to rest her head to his face. When their eyes met, the strangest analogy crossed Kagome's exhausted mind. His eyes… they look like purple lightning… Intense and clear, with the gloss that hazes someone's expression after a kiss… she wasn't wrong. And Kagome's looked like a sea storm.

She didn't realize he had been talking.

"Kagome?"

She awoke from the daydream, "…what?"

"I asked what was wrong."

"Nothing, Inu Yasha. Why do you ask?"

He looked at her suspiciously, had she seriously just had a mind lapse or something? She had called his name earlier, right?

Kagome turned, not liking the examination. He could see her becoming uncomfortable, so he dropped it. Once again they slipped into their own thoughts, but so mentally spent that neither of them made much headway on either front. Gradually Kagome felt her lids become infused with lead. Her already slower-than-normal mind flow became even more muddled. Finally she gave up the fight altogether and slumped over in a much needed sleep.

Inu Yasha felt the change in her instantly; listened intently to her breathing as it slowed and steadied. He glanced around the gloom, deciphering what his senses brought back, even in his weakened state. He mused over his options. Dawn was still a few hours off, and Kagome was out for the night. He didn't want to rouse her, but he didn't want her family to wake up and realize that she was gone. Somehow it just seemed wrong to him for Kagome's mother to have to deal with that. I mean, sure, she was gone all the time; but never without a goodbye. So as he nixed out some options, his choices became obviously few. He decisively made up his mind. But for now, he could sleep, and hope that when the demon blood flowed strong in his veins again that his leg would heal swiftly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"nmmmmmmmmm"

Kagome began to stir, still fighting the sleep in her eyes. She was partly victorious and settled for lying in her bed, conscious. What…. Her bed? Her hand ran along the familiar fabrics. Yes, it was defiantly her bed. She pulled her head from above the covers to get an eye-full of sunlight. When the spots cleared it sure enough was her room. Buyo meowed in annoyance and grumbled as he lifted his massive body and left his refuge.

"Fine, be that way" Kagome muttered, as she pushed her blanket out of the way, wondering if everything had been a very life-like dream.

She suddenly noticed that something was wrong. Her blanket had changed. Instead of its normal color, it was now a red. An extremely recognizable shade of red. It was a haori.

"Inu Yasha?"

But she knew better. He was nowhere in sight. So everything hadn't been a dream. Slowly rising from her bed she thought about their wondrous night together, and everything they shared. And Inu Yasha is going to need his haori back…