InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Project Hope ❯ A Little Bit Closer ( Chapter 10 )

I'm trying too keep updating but this is not easy. I think I'm going to sue that computer company because they did a horrible job on my computer. It takes about 8 minutes to start up and another 5 before I can open up any program. And sometimes it'll just freeze up. And when it does freeze up I have to turn off the computer and start it up all over again….and besides the waiting, when I have to turn it off, the things I'm working on for example; this fantic, is lost. So I'm getting along kind of slow here….please bear with me for just a little longer.

Chapter 10. -finally in the two digits…

A Little Bit Closer…

Scattered in groups, the party guests began to slowly leave. Soon only Kagome, Inuyasha and the gang along with a few others were left. Shortly after the food was disposed of those "few others" left, too. The group sat down under a large tree and laying on their backs, stared up at the night sky. The pitch blank with its infinite number of glittering stars lay stretched above them. The moon was absent to Inuyasha's enormous discomfort and annoyance. Now and again someone would sigh or cough but they kept quiet for the most part. Kagome scanned the sky, her mind wandering here and there. Then she thought about the strange shaking a smell of far off gunpowder. But she shook it off. Here out on an island, they were prone to earthquakes that were under the sea. And the gunpowder had been far away. Even if it had been far off, some would have happened by now.

She sighed contently. Here on a grass cushion under a tree with her friends. With Inuyasha. She blinked in confusion. Why had she put Inuyasha in a different category? She scoffed. Because he was by far more annoying, grumpy, inconsiderate and down right stupid. Suddenly Inuyasha spoke up. "What's the purpose of face-sucking?"

Finding no answer to the strange question, everyone remained silent trying to grasp what Inuyasha had just said. Kagome cleared her throat ask in a slightly squeaky voice, "Face-suck?"

Inuyasha was still kind of zoned out as he impatiently replied, ":Yeah, face-suck. I saw some idiots do it down by the food."

It finally dawned on Kagome that face-suck was Inuyasha's term for kissing. Giggling Kagome said, "Well there really isn't a reason for kissing. When two people, love each they kiss."

Sango and Miroku started snickering and nudging each other at the conversation that the two were having.

Inuyasha furrowed his brows in confusion "Do you love Sango?"

Kagome considered this and said, "As a friend yes."

Inuyasha flipped over onto his stomach and bluntly said, "Then face-suck."

Sango and Kagome started coughing at the spit caught in their throats. Finally Kagome cleared her airway and explained. "Inuyasha, I meant when two people love each other as in husband and wife, mother and child, boyfriend and girlfriend." When she saw that Inuyasha still looked confused she said, "Like when mates love each other."

Inuyasha nodded, finally starting to understand. "Show me."

Kagome's eyebrows shot up in alarm. "Excuse me?"

Rolling his eyes in annoyance Inuyasha said slowly, "Show me kissing."

Trying to keep the blush from creeping up her face wasn't easy as Miroku, Sango and Rin gave soft cat whistles. Even Sesshomaru looked amused, Miroku and Sango started nudging and giggling again with Rin. Kagome tried to keep her cool as she stammered, "I…I mean, I can't! Kissing is for when…if…if I loved you and you loved me. I can't just kiss you!"

Inuyasha frowned. "Is there a rule about this?"

Kagome started to nod but stop. "Well, not exactly…"

"Well then show me face-sucking."

Kagome blushed some more and searched for an excuse. "There's no one here to kiss."

Miroku piped up, "Kagome, I would be glad to volunteer."

Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Sango knocked Miroku as hard as she could on his head. Kagome cleared her throat and firmly said, "When you fall in love then you can face suck that person, Inuyasha."

Rin laughed and elbowed Sesshomaru. This was an interesting conversation. There was mumbling from the base of the tree and the group quieted down. Shippou, along with Kirara had fallen asleep. Shippou had tired himself out with all the other children and Kirara had also had fun.

^_^

Kagome tucked the blanket around Shippou, careful not to wake him. He was really wiped out from the party and she wanted to make sure that he got a good night's sleep. Kagome on the other hand was kind of restless. She didn't really feel tired and she was up to a good chat. Deciding to walk around for a little she opened the large wooden doors cringing as they creaked and tip-toed out. Everyone was most likely asleep so she treaded on the soft carpet. She was about to pass the stairway that led to the garden library when she heard the door close. It was Inuyasha. He jumped down the stairs, holding a book. Kagome jumped in front of him as he reached the last stair causing him to jump.

"Shit! Don't do that!"

Kagome grinned and curiously asked, "What's that you got there?"

Slipping the book into the folds of his shirt, Inuyasha crossed his arms and said in an almost defensive tone, "A book."

So very talented at stating the obvious. Kagome smiled and asked, "Are you going to your room?"

Inuyasha nodded. Doubting that he would say yes Kagome said, "Would you mind if I came with you? It's just that I can't sleep. I won't bother you."

Surprising the both of them, Inuyasha shrugged and flippantly said, "I don't care."

Kagome smiled but was jumping up and down inside. The two made their way to Inuyasha's room. Kagome sat down on his bed and watched Inuyasha read his book next to her. She lay down on her stomach and asked, "What's this about?"

Inuyasha was silent for a few seconds then he said, "It's about the Shikon Jewel."

Kagome nodded slowly and said, "The Jewel of Four Souls."

Inuyasha's eyes flickered her way as he asked, "So the jewel is supposed to be somewhere on this island?"

Kagome nodded again. "That's what they say. But it's never been found. The almighty jewel that grants the one who owns it great power. If someone who is evil has it than the jewel will turn black and evil, too. It'll consume the holder and take over his mind. They'll become slaves to the Shikon Jewel."

Inuyasha pressed, "What if the person that has it isn't evil."

Kagome nodded approvingly at the question and said, "If a person with a soul that isn't evil has the Jewel then the jewel will be pure. It's great power will aid, not destroy, the person. If that person has a wish, the jewel will grant it, then disappear."

Inuyasha asked, "How come the jewel can be both evil or good?"

Kagome frowned slightly and said, "It's because of how the Jewel came to be. Long, long ago when the demon and human races were raging in the war of the millennium, that's when it was created. An army of hundreds of thousands of evil demons fought in a battle with an army of priests, priestesses and demons that wanted peace. After eight days of battle, one great evil demon, one priestess and one kind demon remained. The two kind ones were wounded and at the last of their strength. Right before the evil demon delivered the final blow, the other priestess embraced the kind demon and both of their souls burst out of their bodies and destroyed the demon. But the priestess and other demon died."

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows. "Why did she embrace the demon?"

Kagome smiled and said, "It's said that the priestess and peaceful demon fell in love." Before Inuyasha could interrupt Kagome continued. "Even though the bodies were destroyed, the two souls are still battling within the Jewel. And that's why the jewel can be either pure of evil. It took both evil and good to create it after all."

Inuyasha frowned. "Why are there only two souls battling?"

"The two lovers' souls combined and they became one."

Kagome smiled and said, "Remember the rituals I told you about? The ones that hold up the barrier that makes us invisible to all eyes? Those rituals are supposed to draw power from the jewel by the songs we sing."

Inuyasha smirked, "Well if Sango's singing than I bet the old jewel's just lending energy to shut her up."

Kagome pretended to be shocked as she poked him in the side. "Hey! She's a great singer!"
Inuyasha grinned at Kagome and said in a mock gentlemen voice, "Why I'm sure she is."

Inuyasha reached over and poked her in the side. When he did Kagome squirmed. Inuyasha gave a predatory grin as he suddenly realized something. "You're ticklish!"

Kagome stammered, "No! I…just…"

Realizing that no matter what she said, she was doomed, Kagome crept off the bed. She spun around and would have made a dash for the door if Inuyasha hadn't caught her wrist and pulled her back. Inuyasha barked triumphantly and attacked her sides. Kagome desperately tried to fight off Inuyasha's devilish hands as they poked and tickled her most sensitive and ticklish spots.

Gasping for air and laughing hard at the same time, Kagome gasped out, "Stop! ~laugh~ My stomach ~laugh~ hurts!!"

Inuyasha threw his head back and laughed. Kagome, still laughing, was shocked to hear him laugh. He had often snickered and laughed in a sarcastic way but this was a true and rich laugh. It rose from his belly and bubbled up from his throat. Kagome was now out of breath and she could refill her lungs and laugh at the same time. Taking her foot, Kagome reached up and poked Inuyasha's side. Inuyasha jerked back trying to contain the fact that he was also ticklish.

Seeing this, Kagome launched herself at Inuyasha and took revenge. Now both of them were poking and tickling each other. Tears squeezed out of Kagome eyes as Inuyasha mercilessly tickled her neck. By now she was shaking with silent laughter, not having enough air to supply sound. Inuyasha twitched and burst out laughing as Kagome poked his sensitive spot. Catching Kagome off guard, he caught her wrists and pinned her arms to her sides and on the bed. Both of them panted, trying refill their aching lungs.

Kagome and Inuyasha suddenly shut their mouths as they realized their position. They were lying on the bed with Kagome under Inuyasha. He was hovering over her holding her arms down and he had one leg on either side of Kagome's. Inuyasha and Kagome stared into each other's eyes, each lost in the depth of the other. Kagome felt drawn to the incredible gold orbs as they stared intently at her. Inuyasha at the same time was lost in the depths of blue-gray eyes.

Their breathing quickened as their faces slowly came closer together. Who it was that was moving they didn't know. The only they knew was that they were close enough to feel each others breath. Inuyasha licked his lips, which were dangerously close to Kagome's. He began to draw closer…

"What's wrong?"

Kagome and Inuyasha jerked apart so abruptly that Inuyasha fell off the bed. Sango, Rin and Miroku had pushed the doors open and rushed in. Now they were standing by the door with mischievous expressions.

Miroku cleared his throat and said in a fake voice, "I'm sorry…We didn't mean to interrupt." He laughed and said, "Inuyasha! I didn't know that you had it in you, but I'm impressed!"

Kagome rubbed her red face to loosen up the aching muscles from laughing as she exclaimed, "That's not what was going on! We just…he was tickling me and…"

Sango coughed and teased, "And he happened to be on top of you with you between his legs?"

Rin winked. "I knew you always wanted to wrap your legs around him."

Inuyasha jumped up and angrily snapped, "What the hell are you talking about?! Nothing happened or was happening!"

Rin nodded doubtfully. "Yeah well we heard some screaming and sounds so we came rushing down. We didn't know that you were at it like bunnies…"

Kagome and Inuyasha blushed and pushed the snickering friends out the door. Miroku called from the hall as he went to his room, "It's okay! It's what lovers do!"

Kagome fanned at her face. Was it her or was it really hot in this room? Kagome blushed more as she realized that she had almost "face-sucked" with Inuyasha. Inuyasha was containing himself from strangling Miroku, Sango and Rin for walking in and creating the most embarrassing moment of his entire life. He couldn't believe that he had been so dangerously close to kissing her…

Inuyasha turned to face Kagome. They both stared at the floor for a while. He tried to sound gruff as he demanded, "Was that kissing?"

Kagome did really know what to say. Finally Kagome replied, " Almost. Umm…I think I should be getting to my room."

Inuyasha nodded. "Uh-huh."

Kagome slowly opened the door. She looked over her shoulder and whispered, "Keep the book."

She shut the door and quickly shuffled off to her room. Inuyasha fell unto his bed and sucked in his breath. It smelled like her now. It smelled like White Plum…Inuyasha laid down and breathed in Kagome's scent. It smelled nice…

Kagome shut the door and stood with her back pressed against it. Her heart was still racing. She could still feel his breath on her lips. She quickly slapped herself and shook her head. She couldn't believe that she had almost kissed Inuyasha. Of all people, Inuyasha! The arrogant, egotistic jerk! Kagome smiled gently. But she knew, probably more than anyone else, that he was also kind. He didn't show it but he had a warm heart. He wasn't ugly either…

Kagome but her lip. He had been so protective when- when they had gone to see the past. She remembered how he had let her cry on his shoulder and how he had hugged her close to keep her from hurting herself…

Kagome thought, `Does that mean I like him?'

Kagome chewed on her lip as she debated about this. Over the last two months, she and he had become friendlier to each other. They had also shared secrets…and almost kissed. Kagome smile widened and she sighed. Picking up the blanket she got in with Shippou and closed her eyes. The last image in her mind before she slipped off into sleep was two golden eyes, staring at her.

^_^

Inuyasha filled his nose one more time with Kagome's scent. He rolled onto his back. Why had he almost kissed her? He hadn't even known that he knew how to kiss…maybe it was instinct. Of all people it was that smiley, naïve little girl. He sighed. That stupid girl. She was always putting everyone else before herself. Stupid, stupid girl. She was going to get hurt one day. Inuyasha realized that Kagome's presence felt so natural now. Before, he had been so alone. When his mother left him he had been alone. But now, he had friends. He wasn't alone. Inuyasha felt a sudden feeling of peace and content.

Kagome was the first person that he truly trusted in ten years. It had been ten years when his mother was taken away and he had been seven then. Kagome excepted him for who and what he was. He grinned when he remembered tickling her. That wench…she'd tickled him so much he'd thought he was going to die. He hadn't laughed in so long. Yes…he did care about Kagome.

Now for some shut-eye.

~*~*~

The men broke the surface to the water and walked onto the shore of the cave. They set off weaving through endless mazes of tunnels. One wrong turn and they'd most likely be lost forever. Finally they reached their destination. The camp. They slowed down before the cages and pushed another child into the group of young humans and demons. One man -which turned out to be Nose-ring- spit on a demon child's hair in disgust. He walked off to a large tent.

"Sir, we've captured two more hostages."

The boss replied, "All right. Have you found the two that escaped from the Hep yet?"

Nose-ring nodded and said, "Yes. We gathered information. The hanyou and the other one are both living in the house that belongs to the three high priestesses."

"I see. So they've made some friends."

Nose-ring asked, "Shall we attack, Sir?"

Naraku shook his head. "No. Not yet. I want to make sure that there will be no flaws in this. Now go."

Nose-ring bowed and left. He surveyed the camp. They had made their way in by following the trackers on the two specimens. Using water demons, they had blown tunnels under water. Their camp was in a large underwater cave. Even if the demons had better noses then humans, there was no way that they could sniff them out here. The only ways from the camp to the Hope were the tunnels that they had made and they residents of the Hope had no idea that there were even tunnels at all.

Back in the tent, Naraku quietly shut a book. `The legendary Shikon no Tama is here.' He thought. This could be interesting. Naraku's face split into a slippery, cold smile as he heard the hostages outside cry. Those stupid people in the Hope wouldn't know what to do.

~~*~~

The sun slowly rose like a great yellow yolk. As a ray of sunlight passes through a window and unto Kagome's face, she stirred. The warmth settled on her face and she mumbled. Rolling over she opened her eyes, only to squint. She slipped quietly out of the bed, trying not to wake up Shippou, who was still out like a light. Kagome stifled a yawn and brushed her hair. Maybe if she was quiet and she hurried, she could get to the kitchen and get food without having to face Sango or Rin's questions about last night. Kagome face began to get red again at the memory. She splashed cold water on her face and neck.

Still in her blue pj's, she tiptoed down the stairs. Peering around the corner, she shuffled to the kitchen and triumphantly rushed in. She almost screamed when she saw someone standing at the counter with a knife in his hand. She only just managed to bring the scream down to a surprised squeak.

Kagome put her hand over her chest as she yelped, "Inuyasha! What are you doing here this early?"

Inuyasha, who had turned back to normal, was standing at the counter with a knife in his hand. He had some sort of frozen meal and had been trying to unfreeze it by bashing it up. He looked mildly surprised,

He scoffed and said, "I can be here as early as I want. It's not like I'm the only one."

Kagome shrugged. "I guess I was hungry."

Both of them knew the real reason that the other had come here this early. To hide from Miroku, Sango and Rin. Inuyasha went back to furiously stabbing at the frozen contents and Kagome walked over to where he was and opened a cabinet. She took out a box of pancake mix and shook it.

" Hey, Inuyasha. Why don't you throw that stuff away and I'll make us some pancakes."

Inuyasha mumbled something about being able to cook for himself, but he chucked the…whatever it had been and sat down. Kagome pulled out some milk and eggs. Cracking the eggs and pouring the milk Kagome hummed cheerfully as she mixed it all together. She bent over, pulled out a pan and pour the mixture in.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and said suspiciously. "Girl…you're not putting anything weird in there are you?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and retorted, "That's something you'd do."

For a while the quiet sound of the pancakes cooking was the only sound. Kagome took a plate of pancakes and sausages for both of them. Handing one to Inuyasha, she sat down and began to eat.

Suddenly, Inuyasha asked, "If you had the Shikon Jewel then what would you do with it?"

Kagome put her fork down and blinked in surprise. "Well I've always wondered about that. But I wonder if the Jewel could grant any wish. Is it that powerful? I mean if I asked for the universe to become different, could that one little jewel do it?" Kagome rested her chin on her hand. "To tell you the truth, I don't really know what I'd wish for. Most likely for the world to be just. What about you?"

Inuyasha frowned and was about to tell her to mind her own business but changed his mind. Crossing his arms and taking a rather arrogant pose he said, "I'm going to use the Jewel to become a full demon."

Kagome looked so surprised that Inuyasha wasn't sure if he had said what he had said. "Why would you wish for that?"

Inuyasha took a bite of his pancake and chewed. "Well isn't it obvious. I'm a hanyou and a hanyou could never be as powerful as if it were a full demon."

Kagome looked out the window. Sighing she said, "But, if you turned into a full fledged demon then you might not be you. I heard of a hanyou that wished so much to be a full demon that he went to a powerful sorceress. But when he became demon, he lost his human blood and with it, his mind…he even killed his family. His children, wife, everyone." Kagome looked at Inuyasha sadly and said, "What if you become like that?"

Inuyasha looked at her in surprise. What was it to her if he became a full demon? "My mind is my mind. Being a full demon wouldn't change that."

Kagome smiled happily and said, "Well for what it's worth, I like you as a hanyou."

Inuyasha scoffed but he was really glad to hear her say that. Just then the door swung open and Miroku, Sango and Rin walked in. They spied the two sitting at the table and whistled.

Miroku grinned. "You two just can't get enough of each other can you?"

Inuyasha threw his cup and threw it at Miroku's head. Sango laughed and chanted, "Ah, young love."

A/N - This was kind of a filler chapter but I think the little bonding was important…well hope you enjoyed it. Please REVIEW~!!