InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Night Inked Pens ❯ Chapter 1

Night Inked Pens

Sequel to `Spectrum Coloured Crayons' (formerly known as Lead Pencils)

 

To view finished version, go to my account under the same name in fanfiction, cause this bloody sight won't stop cutting the effin' fic!

 

Kagome looked at the navy ceiling of her best friend's room, swallowing her cheese powdered dorito as the boy doing his homework beside her on the same bed waited for her to go on with the day's events. Unlike her, he didn't need to put all his attention towards his algebra homework, and currently had both of the silver furred dog ears which perched on top his head trained backwards towards the seventeen year old girl he had come to know better than anyone over the years. Said teenager sighed as continued.

“So the guy, Houjo, the one who's been looking at me and blushing each time I catch him, comes up to me today, his hair perfect- uniform immaculate- with this pink package in his hands, and hands it over to me like it's my birthday. I couldn't believe it! I mean…man, I was blushing like crazy- I looked like a tomato didn't I?” Kagome complained, smacking her forehead with her hand while stuffing more chips into her mouth. Inu-yasha, her 18 year old best friend, let down his black pen down and pushed his books to the floor, making Kagome jump slightly and look at him for a moment as the thump resounded, before covering her eyes once again. Inu-yasha turned on his side so that he was facing her, resting his head on his uplifted hand, elbow sinking into the mattress.

“The guy's got shit for brains.” Inu-yasha stated in a grumble.

“He may look stupid but he's damn hot. He's got dimples and everything- all the girls are falling over their dignity to catch a whiff of him. It's pathetic if you ask me- but there he was, this perfect lookin' guy giving me a present cause he though I was pretty!” She exclaimed, unbelieving, talking and acting like him as she did sometimes, when they had been together a long while. It was what friends often did, without even realising. Inu-yasha snorted.

“He said that?” Inu-yasha asked, sounding incredulous too. Kagome peeped back at him with an amused glare.

“Yes! He said I was beautiful- like a bloomin' rose, or full moon- somin' like that.” She muttered, her cheeks pinking from the memory. Inu-yasha burst out laughing, a sharp, clear bark. Kagome swatted his arm in mock anger before crossing her arms, imitating a stubborn child.

“I'm not gonna tell you anymore.” She grumbled. Inu-yasha calmed down, edging closer and smiling wolfishly at her.

“Oh, come on. I'll be good, I swear!” He said with a cheeky grin while nudging her and attempting a doggy look. Kagome looked at him from the corner of her eyes in concealed amusement, pinching her lips but suppressing a smile. She sighed, letting her arms drop, turning to him so that she was mirroring his position, and suddenly seemed more worried and sad than she had moments ago.

“He asked me out…” She said. Inu-yasha lifted his eyebrows, not surprised.

“And…” He pressed, knowing there was more. Kagome flopped on her back with a sigh.

“I said yes. I mean he was right there, with a present- it was a paste-pink photo frame by the way- his thousand watt smile, chess-nut hair, tall, lean, I mean, he's an oil-painting. Picture perfect.” She sighed.

“But…” He inquired again. He knew her better than to leave it at that. There was a pause, but Inu-yasha knew not to bother her by pushing it. Seconds ticked by, made longer by the silence- not awkward, but heavy nonetheless as Inu-yasha waited with scarcely shown patience.

“I think there must be something wrong with me. I mean…I'm not even attracted to him. Is it normal that I'm not interested in anyone? Every girl my age is out having fun- and I can't even imagine myself kissing `the perfect guy'.” She muttered. Inu-yasha frowned at her insults that, though devoid of self-pity, were directed at no one but herself.

“Those girls act like bitches in heat. They only got to ask for money and they would be official whores,” he growled. “You ain't gotta throw yourself at every boy who hands pretty words at you, Kagome.” He went on. She suddenly looked at him sharply, a frown now decorating her brow as well.

“I didn't do it cause he was flattering me, Inu-yasha!” she defended hotly, and opened her mouth to say more, but Inu-yasha cut her off before she could get another word edge-ways.

“I didn't mean it like that and you know it.” He calmed, voice gentler than his words. “I meant that you got the right to say no to whoever you want- you ain't gotta do it just cause everyone else does, being weird ain't new to us, is it now?” He asked with a slightly sad smirk. Kagome smiled back, relaxing.

“No, I guess not. But sometimes…” she sighed again, turning away from him.

“I know it's daft but…ever since the accident- especially after the accident- sometimes I just feel…lonely.” She whispered, her voice having dropped in defence. Inu-yasha's scowl was on in a second. He knew by the way she looked sometimes- when she was unguarded and alone with him, that she was still grieving somewhere he couldn't reach. It had been two and a half years ago since her family died, but the wound still hurt her more than anything.

Because she was older, she no longer hung out with her mother like her little brother still did, so it was one of the many times they had gone out without her- this time to the park- while her and some friends went out to have some fun in the plaza. It was only the next day, when she arrived to the shrine from a friend's house that she discovered, via her grandfather and now legal guardian that they hadn't even reached the park- but had died in a car accident on the way. No drunk driver, no freak incidents- just a car crash.

She and her grandfather- too senile and supposedly busy to go out to the park- were devastated. Inu-yasha had to pull her through it all, remembering when his own mother had died as one of the worst period in his life. Countless times he had rushed over to her house in the middle of the night, running to simply hold her so she could get to sleep. At the end she had surfaced- intent on getting on with her life while still visiting her family's graves. Only a person who had lost part of themselves by death could truly understand Kagome's grievance. Not a single day passed without her thinking about her family- looking back at the little routines and details that she had taken for granted. The smiles, the words, the affection. With a crash, everything had gone up, in flames and screams. She could never retain what was lost in a single second- the only thing she had left was dog-eared photographs- and friends, for that matter. Inu-yasha didn't know how truly grateful she was to have him as a friend. She thanked the day in preschool when he had been seated beside her, and she had been taken by his ears. In an odd sense, she was also grateful to Annie- her main bully back then- for being such a complete bitch to both of them, because it meant that, even as a small child, she was able to peek through Inu-yasha's ready-made barriers.

“Come here.” Inu-yasha whispered, slipping his arm under her back and round her waist, sliding it across the batman decorated mattress. Without protest, Kagome turned so that her back faced him in a position they took often, Inu-yasha tucking her securely against him as she sighed, head under his chin, and never feeling so safe as he did when Inu-yasha held her like that. It wasn't a romantic position- but simply a thing they had done for years. True, the first time Kagome had rested herself against him, and Inu-yasha had instinctively put his arms around her in an enveloping embrace- they had both blushed, but had stayed put and rested, murmuring to each other if they wanted (not needed) to talk.

“Do you feel lonely now?” He whispered- using such a soft voice that no one would ever believe it came from him. Kagome smiled, finding that she didn't- not when they were like this.

“No.” She said truthfully, snuggling closer, his knees tucking into the back of hers. They loved to hear each other breathe- to be so close that they could hear the pulse- feel the rising and falling as they took in a breath- and then let it out.

Inu-yasha smiled widely- immensely proud and comforted that he could help his closest friend when she needed him.

“Tell you what, how bout I rescue you from that hobo boy?” He asked, the two of them pressed so close she could feel him talking.

“Houjo? Save me how exactly, Mr. Superman?” She retorted with obvious amusement and teasing laced in her words. She loved how his chest rumbled behind her back when he chuckled. And pressed a little closer against him. Inu-yasha paused for a second, before letting a smile slip unto his face, one that would probably surprise him, if he saw his reflection on such on unguarded moment.

“You just tell me where you're gonna go, and I'll meet you there half-way through the date. I'll whisk you away with some excuse that you gotta go. I'll wear a red cape and everything,” he joked, laughing at her. She snorted, but he could feel her relaxing even more, as if a worry had been taken away.

“But that's just mean, what about Hojo?” Kagome defended, not liking the idea of hurting someone, especially if they were as kind as Houjo, even if he was a bit dense.

“What about him? What he doesn't know won't hurt `im.” Inu-yasha snorted, knowing he had already won, but she was simply making excuses in a sad attempt at being kind.

Kagome sighed, but Inu-yasha could simply feel her smile.

“He wasn't the only one to ask me out today, you know.” Kagome said distractedly. Inu-yasha tensed immediately, knowing how much she disliked being hit on so frequently.

“What is this, fucking mating season? Who? No- let me guess. Effin' wolf boy, am I right? Damn, now that term has ended they're all getting' desperate.” He was growling heavily, a tremor that rose from the base of his throat, rumbling across his chest. She laughed softly, not because he had indeed guessed correctly, but because of the tremors he produced against her back.

“I don't get why you like him so little, he's not such a bad guy, you know. He did save me that one time-”

“Yes, I know he did.” He grumbled, obviously sore from the incident. It was one of the few times Inu-yasha hadn't been there to protect her- this time from physical harm, and he regretted it dearly, even though nothing had happened, and she had explained to him, time and time again, that nothing came off it. Even though she was protecting herself nicely until Kouga came, and he had scared off the few that were left, he still persisted that he should have been there, which he wasn't because they had just had a fight. The good thing about the incident is that, since then, their fights had decreased greatly.

“I thanked `im and told `im to fuck off, and he still didn't get the picture!” He raved. Kagome rolled her eyes, shifting slightly.

“I'm still shocked that you actually said thank you, especially to Koga,” she smiled. Now it was Inu-yasha's turn to roll his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah.” He muttered. “So, what did you tell `im?” He asked, disgruntled.

“Told him I was already going out with Houjo-kun.” Kagome replied easily. Inu-yasha snorted.

“And he left with that? No way.” He stated. Kagome laughed.

“Yeah, you're right, that's not very Kouga. He's more… persistent,” she giggled, amused. Inu-yasha simply snorted again.

“Persistent my ass, he's a damn stubborn, knob headed jack-ass!” He begun growling again, louder at the reminder of all the stupidities Kouga had done in the past.

“Oh, he's not all bad.” Kagome chided, trying not to laugh at both his tone and the rumbling against her back. They rarely talked when they were in this tucked- in position, so she had never told Inu-yasha how peculiar his growling felt. Inu-yasha growled harder in response, causing Kagome mind to drift as she was distracted by the feeling.

“Not all that bad!? What about the time he took you from the middle of a lesson so he could `talk with you'. Or the time he pasted you're face all over the school, declaring what a beautiful person you were- that caused a helluva lot of problems. Or what about the time… Oi, are you listening to me?” His growl didn't cease as he frowned and her murmurs.

“What are you smilin' bout?” He grouched. Kagome's smile widened.

“How do you know I'm smiling?” She retorted. Inu-yasha's growl rumbled.

“Cause I can feel it, wench.” He said, causing Kagome to laugh at him, and his growl to rise almost playfully. Kagome shifted so that her back was pressed more firmly against his chest.

“Well, can't a girl simply smile?” She teased. Inu-yasha snorted.

“Not without a reason, no,” he replied, only causing Kagome to laugh softly.

“I just like the feel of your growl, that's all.” She said nonchalantly, wiggling slightly. Inu-yasha started, the growl stopping abruptly. Kagome opened her eyes, sighing at the loss of the strange, rocking feeling.

There was a moment of silence when Kagome was confused by his reaction. It wasn't such big a deal, she just liked the sensation, the way she liked the feeling of a massage.

“A growl is meant to scare, not to `feel nice'. You're just strange” He muttered. Kagome laughed.

“Oh, come on,” she teased, “do you think I could ever be scared of you, let alone you're growl?” She asked. Silence fell again.

“No, and you shouldn't,” he said quietly, more seriously than she had asked. She smiled softly, knowing that protecting her was a big deal to Inu-yasha- that he dreaded the fact that she could ever fear him- him and his demon side.

Suddenly, a rumble built up slowly once against from his chest, and though it rippled through Kagome, it was almost completely different from his growl. This sound-feeling-was not meant to scare or intimidate, it wasn't loud or menacing, but soft and oscillating, calming her in a way she couldn't fight. He sounded more like a happy cat or dog than and angry one.

“Mmm…” Kagome mumbled lightly, taken by the new feeling. Her thoughts scattered as the sensation intruded, conquering her senses. They shifted once again so that Inu-yasha was breathing against her neck, drowning in her escalating scent. He didn't even know what he was doing- Kagome was his friend, an old friend, his best friend. He loved her, and she knew that, the same way he knew she loved him. It was inevitable, as they had been together for years. They trusted no one as much as they did each other, but they were just friends.

Inu-yasha and Kagome had always had a strange relationship. Two years into being friends, and they were attached at the hip- like little children often are. But usually, friends drift apart since childhood- they grow apart, discarding each other like old clothes. But Inu-yasha and Kagome were translated to secondary school- which was luckily in the same complex, and they stayed together, borrowing comfort from each other in-between all the new faces. Sometimes, it seemed like their friendship was going to fall apart- but somehow, they always made up, and in the end, the fight only made it stronger instead of cracking it- for it was something else they had gone through together. Eventually the relationship stabled.

And, ever since they were little, they had been easily physical with each other. Hugging and holding hands, comforting, patting, and in Kagome's case, rubbing ears. They had slept in the same bed countless times- their mothers having been close friends- and giving up on modesty after the countless time of finding them together- innocently intertwined.

“Mmm…the feels..” so good, she thought.

She knew, feeling it through her miko senses, that what he was using, probably not realising exactly, was a youki technique. His aura rumbled, drifting over her, and she couldn't help but let her own aura rise to meet him. In the back of her mind, she wondered at what they were doing. This wasn't friendly behaviour- it was something more, something that they didn't intend.

“Inu-yasha…” She wanted to tell him to stop- he didn't even know what he was doing- but a semi-trained miko like herself knew the effects it would have on her- both in body and aura, but his name slipped alone, a murmured moan that sounded more encouraging than anything else. She could feel his breath pant against her neck, heavy and uneven, and before she could stop herself, she turned around, sliding between his arms that tried to grip he in place, but didn't quite manage it. She was stupefied that just with this rippling of auras and trembling of bodies, such a reaction could be fathomed.

Sliding across his body, her hands reached the top of his head as Inu-yasha mumbled her name, her fingers rubbing and scratching and massaging from the base of his ear upwards, feeling the velvety fur against her fingertips- a primal, hidden part of her desperate to return the pleasure he caused as he rumbled harder against her front, his aura pushing and moulding against hers.

Her finger trailed lightly, almost not touching, from the base of his ear to the sensitive tip, and like a light touch across the spine, he shivered against her.

“Kagome…just…” He muttered incoherently as they pressed closer together, Inu-yasha dominating once again as he pinned her against the wide bed, the mattress a concave shape against them. Suddenly they stopped, their auras receding as they looked at each other, and though they hadn't even kissed- that was a human action which no other animal did- this was pure contact, and they knew where it was going.

They looked at each other, pupils big, eyes dark, drinking each other in for a second- but the next Inu-yasha was off her, and after a wheezing moment, Kagome was sitting up, eyes far away from his form.

They didn't have awkward moments often- but this was one of them. Silence settled heavily between them, begging to be broken.

“I guess that's what I get when I compliment you.” Kagome tried desperately to joke. Their eyes met and held as Inu-yasha looked at her with a solemn expression, making the smile she had hung on her face slip away.

“I'm sorry,” he said. Kagome looking at him for a moment, before shaking her head against his apology.

“About what? It was…nothing. Nothing happened. I've rubbed your ears countless times.” She covered up, but they both saw through the act. It hadn't been what they had done, but the feeling inside them that had them so shaken. They could only hope that the other had been feeling it as well.

“Well, about Houjo-kun, he said he was taking me to…”

And so the conversation slipped back to normal- or as normal as it could be, for they were constantly stealing glances at each other as they kept a safe distance between them as if contact would spark another reaction.

And as they sat there, conversing about simple things, yet keeping what really mattered- what had happened- inside, they pushed the feeling down, and continued as if nothing had really happened, both wondering, guessing at what had happened. What had been that feeling, that had rocked their insides…

And what would happen if they did something about it.

 

OoOoOoO

 

“That's alright, Houjo-kun, I can pay for it myself.” Kagome supplied Houjo with another of her smiles, head cocking to one side as she tried to convince her date she had money enough to provide for herself. Houjo didn't quite see it that way.

“No way, Higurashi! I asked you out, it's my duty to buy your cinema ticket! Now, if I can just find my wallet…”

Kagome almost deadpanned at his words, but strained the smile on her face, even though her cheeks were already hurting. It reminded her of her waitress job she had not so long ago.

The line they queued in moved forward. It was a busy Saturday in the cinema complex, situated in the fourth and last floor of the mall Ladybugs. People milled about, simply hanging out and window shopping, or spending their money on the various attractions the building provided. Kagome looked around the black floored and maroon walled room, with ticket stands built into one wall, along with a connecting, small, round room that contained candy of different sorts to pick `n' mix, posters and cardboard figures lining another, beside a few tables and chairs, a pool table, and some video games, and on the far wall, the entrance to the movie-rooms, alongside the popcorn counter- selling various goods apart from what it advertised. Most of the people who filled it were smiling or laughing- in groups or couples, and she couldn't help but feel as if she had been conned- or been a fool- for going along on this date. She had no idea what was wrong with her- Houjo was a nice boy, but a bit too overly nice for her. Having dealt with many problems, and troubled persons, she was used to people who were mature for their age- that had problems- were angry or stubborn or sad. She was used to dysfunctional characters- people who hid things and people who were happy, but knew what it was to be miserable.

Just like herself.

But Houjo was extremely bland compared to what she surrounded herself with. Small talk and compliments was all he supplied Kagome with- and though that was good enough for many girls, though, in truth, he was quite perfect, that was exactly why Kagome rather be somewhere else. She wasn't attracted to perfect.

“Next please!” Kagome snapped her attention back to the front, just as Houjo took out a plain, common brown wallet with an almost glowing look of triumph, and before Kagome could say anything else, he strode forward and asked for two tickets to what she guessed was a romantic chick-flick she would never see in the cinema. She had to admit she liked them- but it was best when she was curled in her sofa at home, or in Inu-yasha's apartment, hearing him snort and ruin various moments with his snide comments. She sighed wistfully, wishing she were somewhere else, with other company.

“Want some popcorn, Higurashi?” She heard him ask, and looked at to be surprised by slightly sad eyes.

“Er…sure, if there's caramel.” She stuttered, taken aback by the lack of radiance his expression held. They moved onward to another queue as Houjo showed her the tickets he had bought. Her eyes widened even more.

“A Million Dollar Baby? I've been wanting to see that since it came out!” she exclaimed, not being able to suppress the surprise in his picking of film. Houjo chuckled, and she looked up to see him looking back at her.

“Give me a chance, Higurashi-chan. Just one.” He asked, eyes pleading. Kagome opened her mouth, speechless, and suddenly blushed in shame. He was right; she hadn't given him a chance. She had done just what she hated others doing; she had judged him before even getting to really know him. She had even planned to sabotage the date even before it had begun.

She smiled up at him, and this time she didn't stress or fake it.

“You're right. I'm sorry.” And with a shared look, a silent pack to try and work it out, they moved forward into the crowd.

 

OoOoOoO

 

“That-was- so- sad.” She wiped her eyes as the lights of the cinema turned on, the credits rolling on the screen. Houjo smiled at her, his eyes suspiciously shiny, but not sobbing like Kagome was doing. They walked out to the red hallway, talking animatedly about the movie, and various topics related to it- such as families, metamorphic fighting, and euthanasia. Kagome was amazed by the passion in which Houjo talked- his strong opinions and animated discussions. Kagome actually found she was enjoying herself in his presence- not as his date, but as his friend. He shyly admitted he didn't like speaking up- too shy to do so, and that's probably why a lot of people found him so naïve and boring. But despite first appearances, Kagome saw Houjo was very bright and engaging.

“What the hell is that guy wearing?”

“Is he part of the staff?”

“I haven't seen any superman movies advertised.”

Kagome and Houjo broke off mid-conversation, distracted by the mutters and disruption in the cinema entrance. Kagome looked around to see what all the fuss was about when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, causing Houjo to look back at her worriedly.

“Inu-yasha!?”

There, in the middle of the commotion, stood Inu-yasha, wearing a full-on Superman costume- cape and insignia included- except he was wearing a pair of jeans over the tights that would have probably highlighted more than he wanted for show.

Inu-yasha's ears flicked towards her a second before his eyes met hers- amused and horrified respectably. Houjo looked on, confused as Inu-yasha walked towards them, a smirk about to split his face in two.

“Kagome! Houjo! Why, was a shocking surprise to see you both here.” He exclaimed, such obvious teasing in his words that both Kagome and Houjo were left stupefied. Silence fell over the three for a moment, before-

“Oh, this is just too good! Are you wearing the lower part of the costume as well?!” Kagome burst out laughing, cracking the ice as Houjo smiled as well, albeit still in a confused state.

“Is there some sort of convention near?” He asked calmly. Inu-yasha snorted

“Sure, pal, I'm the biggest Superman fan alive- can't you tell?” He said before turning back to Kagome, opening his mouth to say his practiced line, but was cut off by her hands waving in front of his face.

“Let me see let me see!” And her hands were suddenly pulling at the buttons of his jeans, laughing as people stared at the scene. Inu-yasha jumped, clutching her hands.

“Oi, what do you think you're doing!?” he barked. Kagome smiled dazzlingly at him.

“Oh come on, let me see the leggings! Pleeeaaassseee!” She pleaded. Inu-yasha pushed her hands harder, but Kagome had a death grip on him.

“No, and will you stop touching me there you bloody pervert!” He howled, backtracking comically as Kagome laughed, tagging after him.

“Men in tights! Tight tights!” She sung unashamedly. Inu-yasha growled, managing to pry her off at last as she continued laughing.

“Er…”Houjo fidgeted as Kagome smiled at them both.

“Wait a sec, Houjo-kun, I'll be right back.” And with that she dragged Inu-yasha off, ignoring the muttering people that were now scattering back to their previous amusements.

“Very funny, Inu-yasha, but…I think I'm gonna stay the rest of the date.” She said, smiling apologetically. Inu-yasha stared at her.

“What!? After all the trouble…oh, for Hell's sake…fine! But I won't do this again, I hope you realise!” He grouched in mock annoyance. He was both confused and a bit peeved he had gone all the way to get her- along with dressing up to play the part- only to find she didn't want to be rescued in the end, but he wasn't about to kidnap her away from the stupid-looking boy. He would make her explain later.

“I'm sorry…thanks Inu-yasha. I'll go round yours later” And with a hug and a wave she was off, smiling at Houjo and walking away, leaving a Superman clad Inu-yasha behind, with no victim to save.

 

OoOoOoO

 

The keys in her hand jangled as she tiredly slotted the appropriate one in Inu-yasha's front door. Thinking she would go there in the middle of her date, she had told her grandfather she was going to sleep over in his apartment. He had lectured her- for the millionth time- about the wrongs of sleeping in the same apartment with a non-related man when there was no one else there, but she had heard him and replied him too many times to make much difference now.

It was already dark outside as she shut the door behind her. After Houjo had taken her out for dinner, they had taken a walk around the city- still talking about this and that. Though sometimes the topics drifted off from her interests- the variation of themes kept her entertained enough to want to stay a while longer with him- even though she had explained at the end of night that she only wanted to be friends with him- that nothing more could come from this spark-less relationship. He had been disappointed- but happy nonetheless, and she in turn relieved. She had enjoyed herself- as she had convinced him she had, and she felt everything had ended well.

She couldn't have asked for much more from the evening.

“Well, that was one helluva long date.” Kagome started as Inu-yasha's voice reached her. She looked up to find him leaning against the kitchen counter- a fork and a cup of ramen in his hand, the low light casting dramatic shadows over his features. Kagome smiled, once again apologetic, though it soon turned into a slight smirk.

“I'm sorry- it's just that he whisked me away to his apartment and we had hot, animal sex on every surface of his home. He's quite good you know.” She teased. Inu-yasha snorted, nose scrunched in disgust.

“I know we're friends, but that was just too much information.” He stated, slurping the last of the noodles and throwing the plastic cup away. Kagome laughed, setting her coat, purse and keys down on the table.

“I'm sorry, Inu-yasha.” She laughed while he threw a mock glare at her.

“Yeah, you will be. You've got fresh towels and I washed some of your clothes by the way. You've got a helluva lot of it here, you know.” He said, walking deeper into the apartment, which was composed of a