InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Confrontation ( Chapter 19 )

Not so sound like I'm bragging but, either I have great taste in music, or there are still some people out there that appreciate such great songs. I'm really glad that I got a few reviews saying that they liked “Hotel California” in that last chapter. It's nice to know that there are still some people who haven't forgotten the classics.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Only his brilliant creator Romiko Takahashi can have him.

 

Part Nineteen: Confrontation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Kagome wondered through the house early the next morning, she found that Lilliana was still awake, despite the “late” hour. She had been sitting on a windowsill in the den, looking out with an unreadable expression. Kagome debated disturbing her, but found that she didn't want to break the peace that surrounded her, but Lilliana had sensed her presence and moved. Kagome found herself under a scrutinizing stare. She fidgeted.

 

“Do you have something to say?” Lilliana asked curtly.

 

Kagome shook her head. “Why aren't you asleep?”

 

Lilliana turned her head back to stare outside. “When you become a nightwalker, you turn your back on the sun.” She said.

 

Kagome, feeling that she was intruding on a private moment made to leave but before she reached the door, Lilliana called her. “Wait.” She turned away from the window, hopping off of the sill and walking across the room to Kagome.

 

“There a few things I would like to ask you.” Lilliana began.

 

“Ask away.” Kagome replied, without the slightest idea of what the enigmatic nightwalker could ask her.

 

“Have been feeling,” She paused, “different lately?”

 

Kagome's brows furrowed. “Not really? What do you mean?”

 

Lilliana crossed her arms and Kagome got the impression that she was inspecting her. “Have you had a loss of appetite?” She asked.

 

“No.”

 

“What about insomnia?”

 

“On some nights.”

 

Lilliana made a face at her answer but it quickly faded and she went on to her next question. Kagome felt as though she were being interrogated. “Any cravings lately? Anything sweet?”

 

“No, none that I can think of anyway.”

 

“Have you been getting this queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach?” Kagome wrinkled her nose. What did she mean by that? Did she mean nausea? “I don't think I have.” She answered.

 

Lilliana cupped her hand in her chin, her mind elsewhere. “Why are you asking me this?” Kagome's voice carried a hint of suspicion and curiosity. Lilliana shook her head. “No reason. You can go now.” Unconvinced, Kagome left the room, not really feeling the need to be pegged by questions any longer.

 

Lilliana went back to her seat after Kagome had exited through the door. She then turned to the two books she'd been reading. She had finished translating the Greek book and given it to Rukiya for analysis. It was the journal of a deceased nightwalker. He had written about the possible locations of the bloodstone they seek as well as his theories with one hundred percent blood compatibility.

 

The other book, the one written in her native language, was the memoirs of another nightwalker she presumed was also dead. The book spoke of his addiction and his exposure to the blood dependency of other nightwalkers. One of his descriptions was similar to the situation Inuyasha and Kagome were in. She'd been reading it for the past few days and even spoke to the head of the family about her worries, but something about the book screamed distrust. Lilliana was sure to be weary of it but if Kagome did show signs similar to the human in the book, maybe there could be a way to reverse Inuyasha's addiction to her and set both of them free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha starred at his palms, flexing his fingers. He was bored out of his mind. The meetings with the nightwalker village elder had been tedious. He would gladly accept a fight right about now; there had to be something he could do with his extra energy. The village elder, Kanna, was reluctant to join their fight against their bastard king. She worried for the safety of her family, and he couldn't blame her for that, but they needed power if they were going to stand a chance should they get close to the nightwalker king.

 

Inuyasha growled. As if the adrenaline he'd been feeling for the past few days hadn't been enough, he found that he was beginning to suffer from sleep deprivation. What was that disgusting bitter drink that humans drink? Coffee? He felt as though he'd gone days on just caffeine and now was awake because of its effects. Inuyasha found that statement awkward. It was like Kagome was his brand of caffeine. He'd been feeling this restlessness after he bit her in the cave.

 

His mind twisted into the mental image of what they had done there. Shaking his head, he tried ridding his thoughts of it. Why did he keep thinking about it? Was this energy boost because he bit her twice?

 

“You look like you swallowed a bug. Oh you always look like that.” Inuyasha made a face at his brother, having forgotten he was there since he had been lost in his own thoughts. He stared at the older nightwalker across the small meeting room. Kagura sat silently at his side. He had to marvel in her patience because Kanna hadn't arrived yet, and they were waiting for her for almost a half hour. Not usually a punctual person, Inuyasha was now realizing how much his tardiness in the past must have irked those who were waiting for him.

 

As if called by his thoughts, a short, silver-haired girl walked into the room and sat across from both of them, forming a small triangle. “I've put much thought into your request. My scouts have found that there are a few unfriendly nightwalkers in the area. I have no definite answer yet.” She was curt and to the point, not wasting time with salutations.

 

Sesshoumaru sat up straighter in his chair. “No need to rush. You still have a few more days to decide.”

 

Kanna nodded. “I overlooked warning you at our last gathering. I suggest you keep your young, unmated females away from the males in my family. I'm afraid some of them haven't grasped complete instinct control.”

 

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru looked at Kagura. “I will make sure that they stay out of harm's way.” She told Kanna.

 

“Good.” Kanna said unemotionally. “As for your other query: I have no information regarding the Asrealine Bloodstone. Perhaps it's become a myth just like one hundred percent blood compatibility.”

 

At her statement, Inuyasha's mind came back to life. Become a myth? Did that mean that it had existed once or never at all? What did he care? Didn't he believe that it didn't exist?

 

“So we can expect an answer in a few more days?” Kagura asked Kanna, pulling Inuyasha back into the conversation.

 

“Yes. Until then.” Kanna rose and trotted out of the room. When she was out of earshot, Sesshoumaru turned his mate. “Are you certain your sister will lend us aid?” He asked.

 

“I don't doubt, but perhaps her years of peace have made her soft. Oddly enough, the nightwalker king's flunkies tend to avoid this place, but now that a few of them have been spotted, perhaps things will turn to our favor.” Kagura mused.

 

“I hope your older sister pulls through. We could use allies.” Inuyasha rose from his chair. “I'm going out.” He said.

 

“Avoid the sun.” Kagura advised.

 

“Of course.”

 

Once he reached their temporary home, Inuyasha had every intention to go upstairs and attempt to sleep one more time. His thoughts from earlier came back full force. He found himself frowning in an effort to push them out of his head, but failed miserably. Ever since their “venture” into the cave, he would wander back to that moment and growl at himself. It wasn't like him to concentrate on such dirty memories. He'd lost count of how many women he'd been with over the years, and he would revisit that cave more then he should. It made him uncomfortable.

 

Lost in thought, he didn't notice the reason for his exasperation as he walked up the stairs. It wasn't until he was so close that she couldn't remain unnoticed that he saw Kagome. She smiled nervously.

 

“Um, good morning.” She waved.

 

He briefly wondered why he could sometimes walk by her without sensing her presence at all, but then said, “Morning.”

 

“Shouldn't you be asleep?” Kagome asked when he climbed the remaining steps and joined her on the second floor.

 

“Shouldn't you? It's really early.” He said.

 

“I find myself getting up earlier and earlier a lot these days.”

 

“Bad dreams?” Kagome fought against blushing. Bad dreams, more like persistent reminders. Her mind circled around it like there was no tomorrow and there was no way in hell she was going to talk to him about it.

 

“Where were you anyway?” Kagome asked, avoiding the question.

 

“I was meeting with Kanna.”

 

The village elder, Kagome thought. Meeting her had been a jolt when she first arrived in the village. She was quite old, but her looks betrayed her years. She stood as tall as Kagome's hip. Her skin and hair were pallid, and her grey eyes were inexpressive. Kagura's older sister did not look like the head of a family at all. According to Inuyasha, natural born nightwalkers could choose if they wanted to stop aging. She wondered why Kanna chose to stay a child.

 

“How did it go?” She asked.

 

“I don't know. Kanna is more inexpressive then blank sheet of paper.” He huffed, placing his hands in his pockets.

 

Kagome giggled. “So we have to wait?” It was like she read his mind.

 

Inuyasha looked at her with a brow raised. “I don't know why I keep getting surprised. You're smart…for a human. It's disturbing.”

 

Kagome growled suddenly. “What's that supposed to mean?”

 

“It means I wish you weren't as clever as you seem.” It made his addiction to her more daunting. Her sharp tongue was enough; she had a brain to match. No doubt she cursed him over in that intelligent psyche of hers.

 

“Well you're not a very good conversationalist are you?” Kagome retaliated.

 

It was a blow to his ego, but, oddly enough, he let it go, agreeing with her. “Maybe.” He wondered what she would say next.

 

Kagome “hmphed,” crossing her arms and giving him a grouchy stare. “You are the weirdest man I've ever met.”

 

He felt the same way toward her. Feeling that their exchange had ended, Inuyasha excused himself, walking toward his room to try and get some rest. Kagome watched his retreating figure for a while before she went back to her morning pacing. It was a becoming a habit. She would wake up early and ponder while walking through the house.

 

To think that they danced last night, Kagome couldn't believe that they actually had a friendly conversation. Of course their talk a moment ago wasn't as unfriendly as their previous talks had been. It irked her that she was beginning to hate him less and less and even more that she had gotten used to being around the family.

 

Kagome sighed and made her way to Sango's room to check if she was awake. To her surprise, she found that Sango sat at a table, writing into a small book. As Kagome got closer, she noticed a gun and bullets on the other side of the notebook Sango was scribbling in. “Where did you get those?” She voiced her thoughts.

 

Sango looked up at her and smiled a greeting before speaking. “The gun was with me when we came from Tokyo. As for the bullets, they are specially designed by Rukiya…to kill nightwalkers.”

 

Kagome jumped. “What the hell?”

 

“Relax.” Sango rose, placing a hand on Kagome's shoulder. “She's not going to betray the family or anything.”

 

“Then why the weapon?” Kagome retorted.

 

Sango took in a deep breath and sat back down. “Lilliana says she will be releasing me and Miroku as soon as she can, but she doubts that Narek won't come after us. She offered for us to go back to our lives before joining the nightwalker hunters. We agreed. These are so we can protect ourselves should Narek come looking for us.”

 

Kagome didn't want to think about the possibility that Sango would be leaving. Instead she asked, “What did you do before you joined the nightwalker hunters?”

 

Sango looked toward the ceiling. “I was a detective. I'd moved to Hong Kong and lived there for a while with my brother's family. Miroku was my partner. When the nightwalker hunters offered me to join their firm, after I witnessed a nightwalker killing a human girl, Miroku followed me.”

 

Sango closed the book she'd been jotting things down in. “They offered to remove our memories of the family. It's a safety measure. Rukiya has the ability to tamper with memories. We'll think that it was all a dream if she does, but we wouldn't know why Narek wants to kill us if we forget, and she says that her ability over memory is very weak. She might hurt us in the long run.”

 

“So,” Kagome took in a deep breath, “What will you do?”

 

“When they let us go, we will ignore this part of our lives and go back to living the way we were before. By now, I'm guessing it's been long enough for the nightwalker hunters to believe we are dead. They would have destroyed our files and there are no remaining witnesses from out base in Tokyo. We could merge back into society and live normally.” Sango turned her head away. “I'm sorry Kagome.” Sango said suddenly. “I asked them…Sesshoumaru if we could take you with us.” Kagome felt her heart constrict. “They disagreed. Inuyasha will die without you. I hate the fact that we'd leave you behind, but the family is not as bad as it seems-”

 

“It's fine.” Kagome spat. “I'll be fine.” She stomped out of the room. Sango called after her, but she had already gone down the stairs. She was angry. She knew that Sango meant well, but she was angry that she was leaving more people she had come to care about behind. Stupid Inuyasha and his addiction. Stupid pull she felt toward him. She wanted things to go back to normal, damn it!

 

She stormed into the den, growling. “My what a temper.” Kagome looked up to see that Lilliana was still sitting in the same window. Suddenly her anger raged again, flaring up. She never thought she hated Lilliana until now.

 

“Why are you letting Sango and Miroku go while I have to stay here!” She demanded.

 

A moment of shock crossed Lilliana's face, but she became serious quickly, as though knowing this would happen. “They are not part of this. Narek pulled both of them in here. If I had my way, I would keep them till Narek was destroyed, but they can't stay. Sesshoumaru can't endanger their lives any more then they already are.”

 

“So they can leave and I can't? Even though I also have a death warrant on me as well?” Kagome growled.

 

Lilliana took a moment to reply. “We don't need them, but Inuyasha needs you. Trust me,” She got off her sill and came to poke Kagome in the chest, “I don't want you here anymore then you want to be here, but I will accept it. I will deal with it. If I can get over my qualms about humans, you can get over yours about nightwalkers. Besides, we treat you fairly nice here. We protect and take care of you. Show some appreciation.” Lilliana rolled her eyes.

 

“Yeah! Appreciation for having my life taken away!” Kagome snapped.

 

“Would you rather be dead instead?” Lilliana retorted.

 

Kagome growled, but said nothing. “I thought so.” Lilliana looked at her from the corner of her eye. She sighed. “Listen, I can understand what your going through, Kagome.” She said.

 

Kagome looked up at her, her expression screamed disbelief. “I would be unhappy if I was dragged into this too, but I try to make the best of things.” Lilliana gave her a sympathetic look. She twisted her hands, telling much of her discomfort, but continued anyway. “It's hard for you, but it's hard for us too. We have our lives threatened on a daily basis, but we still push forward. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from us.”

 

Kagome bit her lip, hating that Lilliana was right. Her anger boiled up and she threw a table that had been close to her across the room. It broke in half as it hit the wall. Exhausted by her impulsiveness, her fury died down, being replaced by sadness. Sadness that Sango and Miroku were leaving and that she would be staying behind.

 

“They're not going right away. Only until it's safe enough for them to leave.” Lilliana reminded her.

 

“Still, they would leave eventually.” Kagome reminded her pessimistically. She sighed and slumped down on a chair that used to be sitting against the table she had thrown across the room. Kagome looked back to where the table had thudded against the wall and landed with some of its legs broken. “Maybe I shouldn't have done that.” She huffed, placing her elbow on her knee. “At least then I would have something to lean against.”

 

Lilliana chuckled and Kagome glared at her. “What the hell is so funny?” She demanded. “Spit it out. If you have something to say: say it!”

 

Lilliana faced her, a sly grin on her face. “You remind me of Inuyasha.”

 

That was the last thing she had expected to hear. Kagome crossed her arms irately. “How so?”

 

Lilliana shook her head, shrugging. “You both throw furniture around when you are angry.” She gazed across to the corpse of the table; she had a reminiscent countenance. “Back when I first became a nightwalker, I couldn't control my urges. I ended up biting a man in public. Inuyasha was so mad at me. He threw all of the chairs out the window.”

 

Kagome tried imagining an enraged Inuyasha juggling furniture. Despite her high level of rage and unhappiness, the corners of her mouth curved upward with the mental image. She then forced her smile down, her irritability returning. Lilliana ignored her and sat back in her original spot opening the book she'd been scanning through before Kagome came barreling into the room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wherever he was, or had to be, it would always be the darkest. Narek didn't mind forgetting the light from time to time, but his eyes would tire of the abysmal area where he could only rely on his hearing and phenomenal sense of touch. He knew he would have had his meeting with the king eventually. However, if he had it his way, he would have refrained from the assembly a little longer, at least until he could feel his fingertips again. But he had made his choice long ago and was going to stick to it.

 

Either it was his gloomy aura or his scent was noticed, but when Narek entered where the nightwalker king was waiting for him, it didn't take long for the monarch's deep voice to reach his ear.

 

“You're late boy.” A comical statement: Narek was over a hundred now; he didn't fancy himself a boy at all. Narek said nothing. He never spoke until given the permission to.

 

“Did your journey into the bad lands ripen your mind? Or are you hanging to the bridge of your compassion by a thread?” The nightwalker king asked. Still nothing, Narek kept his voice and mind blank.

 

He could hear the King walk closer to him. Then his large presence appeared next to him. “Well, Narek?”

 

“I hold nothing but vengeance in my spirit, my lord. The badlands have shown me just that.” Narek spoke.

 

“Good.” The King walked around him, inspecting him.

 

The King walked passed him and further into the darkness. “I have a new assignment for you, but before I brief you on it, I ask that you tell me what you learned in the badlands about the artifact I sent you after.”

 

“It's gone. Records indicate that it might have been in the badlands, but I found another document saying that it moved. Hence, I went in search for it in the underground.” Narek kept his voice inexpressive.

 

“Did you find it?” The King asked.

 

Narek pulled a stone out of his pocket. It was the size of a small marble and looked as though blood had crystallized into a small shiny diamond. The King's cold fingers took it from Narek's hand. “I found another decoy. The real one is still out there somewhere.”

 

“Find it. We must get that bloodstone before they do.”

 

“Yes, sir.” Narek turned to take his leave.

 

“Narek. I still have another task for you.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome hadn't spoken to Sango or Miroku till it was nighttime and she had finally decided that what she was doing was childish. She'd taken Lilliana's advice and tried to make the best of what time she had with them left. The talk hadn't been as terrible as Kagome had imagined it. Sango and Miroku apologized and Kagome told them to forgive her for overreacting. That was how they were in the evening, talking affably in the den, where Kagome had broken the table earlier that day. It didn't take long for Claire and Bill to join and Kagome found herself giggling about Claire's party the night before.

 

“Lilly's song was great. I wish I could get her to sing more often.” Claire smiled.

 

Kagome tried remembering, but she had been to busy concentrating on not falling over her feet while dancing with Inuyasha that she had forgotten the sound of Lilliana's singing voice.

 

“Thanks for getting up there with her by the way. I don't think she would have sang if you hadn't.” Bill added, giving Kagome an appreciative look.

 

Kagome smiled back. “Well, I did what I had to.”

 

Claire made a face. “You know, Lilly is acting kind of weird today.”

 

“It seems she's taken a liking to you, Kagome.” Kagome looked toward the door of the den. Natalia smiled by the doorway.

 

“What makes you so sure.” Kagome frowned.

 

Natalia leaned away from the doorframe and walked further into the room. “She called you by name today didn't she? And she said it in a none-vehement way. She's just too proud to admit she likes you after all.” Natalia laughed.

 

“Who are we talking about here?” Christiano said as he appeared in the hall.

 

“Oh just gossiping.” Natalia laughed when he gave her a distrustful look.

 

“I thought you didn't like gossip.” Christiano clicked his teeth.

 

“Only when it's negative.” Natalia replied, flicking him on the nose.

 

Christiano's rubbed his nose irritably and he chased Natalia out of the room when she laughingly ran passed him. “Newly mates.” Claire huffed.

 

Kagome turned to Claire and Bill. “Is mating like getting married?” She asked.

 

“Not quite. I don't know much about it because I'm `a hundred years too young to know what mating entails.'” Claire said rolling her eyes and making air quotes with her fingers. Kagome frowned. Claire was about fifteen in human years by her count and she was fifty by nightwalker years. She was way past the age when one learns of sexual relations. Bill catching the confused look on Kagome's face decided to explain. “Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru stick to old nightwalker ways. You don't tell a nightwalker about mating until they are at least a hundred years old. This includes human years.” Bill added when his sister made a face.

 

“So it's like getting married?” Kagome asked again.

 

“Not really. There's no real ceremony. At least that's what I'm allowed to know. Lilliana should be reaching a hundred soon, then it's Rukiya's job to tell her. That is if she wants a mate. According to Natalia, once you choose your mate, you're together for life.” Bill said.

 

“Interesting. I believe I like your methods better then ours.” Miroku joked. Sango poked him the ribs with her elbow.

 

A notion popped into Kagome's mind and she suddenly felt nauseous, but she forced herself to hold back the expression.

 

Claire paced her elbow on her knee, and her chin in her hand. “Bill sure could use a girlfriend. Then he wouldn't be on my case all the time.”

 

Bill shook his head, patting Claire on her shoulder. “Someone has to make sure you and your trouble making brother don't burn the house down.”

 

“So now you are accusing me of arson? Very nice Bill.” Claire crossed her arms.

 

“You'd be crazy enough to do it.” Bill teased, pocking her on her side.

 

Kagome ignored then as they burst into sibling squabbles. She walked out of the room as Sango and Miroku joined in the argument. Suddenly Kagome didn't feel so cheerful anymore. Who should she ask? If she asked Inuyasha, he would know that she was thinking about what they did in the cave. If she asked a member of the family, they might figure out that she and Inuyasha had…Kagome shook her head. Not knowing gave her goose bumps. She shuddered at the thought of being tied to Inuyasha for life.

 

“Are you sick?” Of all the voices, it had to be his. Kagome cursed. She was sure her face would change color if she looked at him, not to mention that she was angry at the fact that me might be keeping something from her again.

 

“I'm fine.” She hissed, sounding angrier then she meant to.

Inuyasha looked at her through narrowed eyes and Kagome tried not looking at him in the face, even though she caught his appearance. Speaking of their “other relationship” was secretly defined taboo by both of them. Kagome wasn't sure she could bare the humiliation if Sango and Miroku ever found out, or if even the family found out. If she did confront Inuyasha about what mating entailed for them and a family member heard, Kagome could never show her face to them again.

 

She jumped when something burning warm touched her forehead. “Do you have a fever?” Inuyasha asked. “You look like you want to vomit.”

 

Kagome pulled away from him. “I'm fine!” She insisted.

 

Inuyasha didn't look convinced. Kagome couldn't help but notice the suspicion on his face. It took every ounce of self-control not to yell at him and risk blurting out what was on her mind. “Someone's testy today.” He huffed.

 

The blood rushed to Kagome's face. “You're damn right I'm testy!” She barked.

 

“And you're letting your anger out on me?” He raised his brows.

 

“Well it makes sense seeing as you're the source!” Kagome's eyes widened and she covered her mouth.

 

“Well sorry for getting on your nerves.” Inuyasha growled and walked passed her.

 

Kagome bit her lip. “Wait a minute!” Inuyasha turned, his brows raised. Kagome looked about. It didn't look like there was anyone near the hallway they were standing in. With her face on fire, she turned back to Inuyasha. “Is there a place where I can talk to you without anyone overhearing?”

 

Inuyasha flexed his jaw and then walked down the hall. Kagome snarled and was about to scold him for turning his back on her when he said, “Are you coming?”

 

Dumbstruck for a moment, it took Kagome a moment to gather her courage and chase him. He walked out of the house waiting for her and Kagome nervously came out under the moonlight looking about the village in case a male nightwalker came by. They always gave her such nasty looks. Typical, she attracts dangerous men who want to bite her. If only she was this popular with the humans.

 

Luckily for her, Inuyasha scanned his surroundings and decided that speaking in the village was not a good idea. He grabbed her wrist, pushing that small twinge of thirst whenever he touched her aside. He pulled an unwilling Kagome into the forests. “Wait! What if we get attacked by a wolf or something? It's dark in there!” She protested.

 

“Once again, you have me here and you're worried about wild animals.” Inuyasha muttered in annoyance.

 

Kagome wasn't sure how long he had hauled her through the woods and she had long since forgotten the way back. The thought of being alone with Inuyasha made her stomach churn, considering what happened the last time they were alone. When he finally stopped underneath a large sequoia tree, Kagome suddenly remembered what she wanted to ask him and her face became an embarrassing red.

 

“So,” Inuyasha leaned against the trunk with his arms crossed, “what did you want to talk about?”

 

He avoided looking at her. That was fine since Kagome wasn't sure she could look him in the eye either. “Uh…” She began uncertainly. How was she going to go about saying this? Should she outright say it?

 

“By the look on your face this is about what happened in the cave.” Kagome felt her heart do a summersault. He sure is blunt. She thought. She chanced a peek at him, seeing that his face was still averted. He carried a frown on his face, grinding his teeth, his eyes closed.

 

“R-right. That's it.” Kagome breathed in. He waited for her to adjust and Kagome noticed that several times he cringed when she took a breath. When the mortification subsided, Kagome burst, her frustration surfacing again.

 

“Listen here you bastard! I've got a bone to pick with you.” She snapped.

 

“You have every right to.” Inuyasha said without looking at her.

 

Kagome was taken aback by his morose remark but her anger overrode it. “Damn right! I hate it when you keep things from me, especially when it involves me!”

 

Inuyasha turned to look her directly in the face and Kagome held her breath when the lost look appeared in his eyes. He cocked his head to the side. “What?” He frowned. “I haven't kept anything from you? The venom should be the only thing. Unless you know something I don't.”

 

Kagome shook her head, reminding herself that she was upset. His rouse didn't convince her. He knew and she was going to make him explain. “Don't play dumb!” She stomped her foot.

 

“What's this about mating? And about being forever tied to your mate! And don't tell me I'm a hundred years too young to know what mating is!” Kagome hissed through barred teeth.

 

Inuyasha was silent for a while. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open for a moment. Then he turned, hiding her face from her, and Kagome could see his shoulders shaking.

 

“Don't laugh!” She yelled.

 

Inuyasha turned, his best attempt at keeping a serious face. He walked toward her and Kagome couldn't help herself from taking a step back till she hit a tree trunk behind her. Inuyasha came close and pocked her in the chest. “You continue to amuse me.” He said with a small smile.

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” Kagome narrowed her eyes. Inuyasha placed his hands on either side of her head, leaning his weight against the trunk behind her. Kagome felt her heart thump at his sudden movement.

 

“Have you taken into account that you're not a nightwalker?” He asked.

 

Kagome considered this for a moment. She hadn't, and Claire and Bill never stated that a nightwalker could “mate” with a human. “So it can't be done because I'm human?” Kagome asked.

 

Inuyasha chuckled, nodding. Kagome's jaw dropped. That meant that she could have avoided this hole embarrassing show. She covered her face with her hands. “I'm an idiot.” She whispered.

 

“I agree.” Inuyasha's voiced laughed at her.

 

“But you still attacked me in the cave.” Kagome reminded him. She looked at his face from between her fingers. He ran his tongue over his lower fangs, amusement gone from his face. She couldn't pull an emotion out of his frown. With a sigh, he leaned away from her and placed a small distance between them.

 

“I was hoping you wouldn't speak to me about that.” He grumbled.

 

Even though her face was on fire, Kagome wanted to speak to him while they were still on the subject. “Why'd you do it?” She asked.

 

Inuyasha covered his eyes. There was no way to explain animalistic urges to humans, especially since humans didn't rely on instinct as much as they did. He had no idea how he was going to tell her the truth. “I had gone without your blood for a long time. Eventually I couldn't stand it anymore and instinct took over.” He began.

 

“That's why you attacked me?” Outrage resounded in her voice. “To bite me? Or did you want to get more then my blood?”

 

He suddenly went stiff and his face darkened. “No!” He snarled and then took a deep breath to calm down. “How the hell am I going to explain this?” He muttered to himself.

 

“Well?” Kagome crossed her arms, waiting.

 

Inuyasha took a moment to gather his words. “I shouldn't have given you my jacket.” He began. “Once I lost control of my senses I could smell my scent around you and then another instinct took over.”

 

“So that's also why you attacked me in the first place? Because of instinct?”

 

“I bit you because I was thirsty.” He replied, looking away.

 

“What about after that?” Kagome pressed.

 

That was something he couldn't answer. What happened the night he met her was still a mystery even to himself. He still wondered why he had done what he had that night.

 

“Are you going to answer?” She sounded tired but Inuyasha wasn't able to respond, not because he didn't want to, or because he didn't have anything to say. It was because a loud scream came from the direction of the village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There you have it! I know a lot of you wanted the confrontation to happen and I though that if I was going to bring them closer, I might as well! I hope you enjoyed.