InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Remembering You ❯ Stay Close ( Chapter 17 )

Author Notes: I'm really the worst fanfic author in the world aren't I? I rarely update, and when I do I always feel like I'm doing a half assed job. . . this is the first chapter of the year, and hopefully not the last. . . well, I don't want to keep you from this chapter. . . enjoy the chappie!

 

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and company doesn't belong to me nor do I make money off of them. . . and I have realized that disclaimers are just a pain in the ass.

 

“. . .” dialogue

`. . .' thoughts

 

 

Stay Close

By Hoshi-ni-Onegai

 

It's hard walking up to someone and admitting you were wrong. It's even harder when you and the other person are the most stubborn people to walk the earth. Then again, that's probably one of the reasons why you fell in love with the guy right?

 

Kagome quietly stepped down the stairs after pondering in her room for a good two hours. She needed to gather herself, and she knew Inuyasha did as well. Peeking around the corner she saw him seated in the living room doing the furthest thing from pondering about their relationship: watching a game show on tv. Eyebrow twitching she went up behind him, crossed her arms, and tapped her foot.

 

“What did I do now?” He leaned his head back on the couch to look at Kagome so that she looked upside down to him.

 

Huffing she went around the couch and sat down roughly next to him. “I was worried about how it was going to be between us. If there even was an `us' to refer to and you're down here watching the idiot box!”

 

He glanced at her for a moment, closed his eyes and smiled as he leaned his head to rest upon her shoulder. “There will always be an `us' to refer to. We had a fight, all couples do. And judging by our track record, we always will.”

 

She sighed, “I guess. . . although that is a bit disturbing to think I'll always be fighting with you. Why can't we have been those couples that just loves each other and never fights?”

 

He laughed, “And what? Be boring as hell?”

 

“It'll be a nice break from our lives at least.”

 

“I've had a long enough break while I waited for you to be born, then grow up. In all the years I've lived I still haven't found anyone that could piss me off the way you do.”

 

This time it was Kagome that let out the laugh, “I'm glad you haven't replaced me.”

 

“I told you I couldn't live without you.” He reached out to hold her hand, turning it over within his. “Are you okay with that though? A possessive half demon dependent on you forever?”

 

She nodded gently, “If you can deal with an emotional mess of a miko I think we'll be just fine.”

 

“Another chapter of Kagome and Inuyasha romance drama chronicles has come to a close.”

 

“Knowing us, the next one will come up with in the hour.”

 

Inuyasha smirked as he opened his eyes to look at the tv, “I don't doubt-” Bolting up from his place leaning against Kagome he stared at the tv with pure horror across his face. “Holy shit.”

 

Startled she back off at his sudden movement, “What?” Following his line of vision she saw that an emergency news program had cut into the game show programming. Images of a burning apartment building in uptown Tokyo were shown along with words such as `bomb' and `attack' were thrown about.

 

Quickly making his way off the couch to grab a coat and his keys he ran toward the door. Kagome trailed behind him, shoving her feet in sneakers and pulling on a coat as well. “Inuyasha! Where are you going! What's going on?”

 

Both within the car, he peeled out of the long driveway in record time. Speeding down the streets he didn't even glance at her as he gripped the steering wheel. His knuckles turning white and his teeth bared, he growled out. “The building on fire. That's Miroku and Sango's building.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened as she took in a horrified gasp of breath. “Oh God.”

 

No more words were exchanged as Inuyasha drove like a madman through the city streets of Tokyo.

 

Upon the arriving at the scene of the fire that was still raging out of control, Inuyasha rushed out of the car to stand in front of the building next to the firefighters. Kagome quickly made her way up to him and stared with frightened eyes at the building. “Are. . . are they in there?”

 

He tilted his head upward, sniffed, and growled. “I can't be positive. I can't fucking smell anything through the smoke.” Looking down at her he spoke in all seriousness. “I don't want you to go anywhere got that? Stay with the crowd, and with police or firefighters close by you.”

 

Confusion ran across her face. “What? What are you talking about?”

 

He turned away from her. “Just listen to what I say Kagome. Don't move.” With that he sprinted toward the building. Everyone had been staring at the building, no one saw the hanyou make his way into the building.

 

Her eyes widened as she froze in place for a beat, then she let out a loud: “Inuyasha!”

 

As she continued to yell out his name a police officer came up behind her, “Miss, please calm down. You panicking is not going to help anyone. Come with me and we'll figure out if the person you're looking has gotten out yet or not.”

 

She nodded, remembering what Inuyasha said. Police, she should stick with them. No matter what evils may crawl around human officials in groups had to still be reliable. Walking with the policeman she kept her head turned to stare at the building. If Inuyasha didn't make it out of there what would she do? Had she just lost three very important people in her life all in one night?

 

Coming to the edge of the crowd and the cop cars, the policeman addressed her once again. “Now, miss, could you tell me the name of the person you're looking for?”

 

Her head still turned she nodded numbly. “Friends of mine. . . Houshi Miroku and Taijiya Sango.”

 

“What about Touken Inuyasha?”

 

She whipped her head toward the man and gasped the moment she recognized him. “Oh my God.”

 

 

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Inuyasha leapt up the stairwell in three seconds flat to find himself at the top floor. Kicking away the burning door he charged into the flames without much precaution. “Miroku! Sango! I better not fucking find you guys dead!”

 

He ran about frantically, from room to room. So far, there were no signs of corpses but also no signs of the living or a rapid escape. Debris littered the floor to every corner of the room and everything was ablaze. Even with his half demon composition he was having an extremely difficult time being in here. He made it back to the hall trying to make it back to the stairs when suddenly a steel beam fell from the ceiling. He had been lucky to be away from the beam enough to suffer the full blow, but it had landed on his right leg. He roared out in pain as the scalding steel burned his skin and the weight of it broke the lower bones clean in two.

 

Inuyasha pushed off the steel and tried to stand balancing on his one good leg. “Crap. How the hell did I get myself into these kinds of messes.”

 

The building was caving in and it seemed everyone had been safely evacuated. He could almost kick himself for being so worried about his friends and trying play hero, well, he would kick himself if it wasn't for his low disabled leg. Hopping toward the stairwell he noticed that the stairs had collapsed for good five floors below, this was not the way to go. Glancing upward he decided that the only option he was the roof access. Climbing the stairs as quickly as his one leg would allow he slammed himself through the roof access door to be met with the strong gust of the city air. He sighed unconsciously at the relief the breeze brought to his overheated body. Pulling himself out of his momentary break he realized this was not the moment to calm down. Going to the edge of the building he saw it as the only way down for him.

 

“Twenty-two floors. . . I guess it could be worse.” He steadied himself of the ledge and looked down. He was in luck, the smoke from the fire blocked him from the view of the crowd on the ground. If he did this right, he'd land amongst array of people and the crowd would assume he jumped from a lower level without them noticing. They might even help setting his broken leg before it healed wrong.

 

Searching the crowd for a certain raven-haired girl he couldn't find her. He brows furrowed, “Where the hell did that wench go?”

 

He shook his head. This was not the time for being angry with her. He needed to save his ass, find hers, then yell at her. Without another thought he leapt off the building.

 

 

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Despite the warning Inuyasha gave him Kagome lip trembled as tears welled in her eyes. Unable to contain herself any longer she flung herself in the waiting arms of the police officer. “Hojo!”

 

Cold arms wrapped around her as he took in a deep breath as his nose was imbedded in her hair. She was beside herself. How do you greet the best friend that died? She allowed herself to remain in her bubble, an imaginary world where Hojo was still alive and there weren't any demons out there trying to hunt her down. But the one to burst the protective bubble was Hojo himself.

 

“I don't have much time Kagome.” She felt the arms drop away from her and step away as he stared into her eyes to keep her attention. “I'm dead, there is nothing that's going to change that. I need for you to listen carefully, there is only so long before I can do something without him noticing that I'm not doing his will.”

 

“Him? What are you talking about Hojo?” Then it all clicked and sadness spread across her face, “You're the walking dead. . . just like Kikyou was.”

 

He nodded, “My soul has already passed on to wherever souls go when the body dies. He stole my corpse and brought my body back. . . but you know that all I have in this body is just memories right?”

 

She tilted her head to look at the ground, “So I've been told. The memories of a life remains with the body forever.”

 

“I can't go on like this Kagome. This isn't a second chance at life. Hojo is dead. . . I'm. . . I'm not sure what I am. I don't live to see the future, I live in the present only thinking about the past. I'm not even really living.” Suddenly he winced and cradled the side of his head.

 

Kagome was next to him in a second. “What's wrong? Are you in pain?”

 

“No, I'm having a surprising vision of pleasant bunnies. . . of course I'm in pain!”

 

She chuckled in nervousness, “Even if you're only his memories, you're still just like Hojo.”

 

The Hojo-look-alike stared at her in sadness, “He sent me to come capture you and take you to him.”

 

“Who?”

 

“I-I'm not allowed to say. He put a censoring spell on me, I can't say his name.”

 

She stared at him frantically, “How about clues?”

 

He shook his head, “No. We don't have time for charades. You have to kill me now Kagome.”

 

Her eyes widened, “W-What? Kill you? For what?”

 

“It's only a matter of minutes before he realizes I'm not carrying out his plans. The moment he feels that I'm disobeying him he'll take over control of my body. I won't be able to help myself from taking you to him.”

 

Turning away from him she trembled, “You can't ask me to do that!”

 

Grabbing her upper arm he tugged her to face him once again, “If you don't destroy this hollow shell of a body now, I'll come after you later on.”

 

“But-”

 

“Don't let me suffer like this!” He embraced her once again, “I know it's selfish of me to ask you to kill the image of your best friend, but if you don't. . . I'm miserable Kagome, I'm only a whisper of what a person is. . . I'm only a clump of memories that don't belong to me, I'm made of dirt and bones.”

 

There wasn't anything she could say to that so she held him tighter, “I love you Hojo, I don't know what my life would have been like without you in it.”

 

He smiled and nodded, “You still my girl?”

 

She laughed at that as she controlled her sobs and stepped away from him. After he had revealed himself to be gay they both went through a difficult time, unsure if even their friendship would last. At one point he asked her that question in all sincerity and she answered with the same response she gave him from then on. “I'll always be your girl, as long as you're still my girl too.”

 

Hojo reached out and took her left hand, “Thank you for this Kagome.”

 

She wiped away a lone tear that escaped her eyes, “I hope you find peace.”

 

He smiled as he felt the searing heat of her miko energy course from her hand to his entire body. “I already have.”

 

With a quick flash of light that went unnoticed by the crowd around her Hojo was gone, and in his place was a pile of clay, dirt, and bones.

 

 

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Tumbling into the crowd no one really noticed, except for a paramedic that stood by just in case someone that was injured was found. And by the looks of Inuyasha the paramedic was in injury heaven.

 

“Let me help you sir.”

 

Inuyasha growled “Look pal, I would have considered it before but I really need to be going.”

 

The man raised a brow and tugged the hanyou to sit in on the ambulance truck. “You're leg is broken and charred, and I'm assuming you breathed in some of that smoke.”

 

The half demon snarled as he tried to get back up but was pushed back down easily by the man.

 

“I'm sure whatever you're rushing off to is not worth your health, so hold still while I at least treat that messed up leg of yours.”

 

“Whoa, I don't know where you get off ordering me around, but trust me, she's worth my health.”

 

“Was she in the fire as well?”

 

Inuyasha shook his head and the man sighed as he went about treating Inuyasha's leg, “That's great and all that you're in love with the girl, but you're not about to lose a leg for her.”

 

Grumbling for a good five minutes the man deftly completed his job and stood up to face the annoyed hanyou. “I finished your leg, but I really recommend you get yourself to a hospital.”

 

Rolling his eyes Inuyasha limped away, but managed to throw a word of thanks at the diligent paramedic as he made his way through the crowd in search of Kagome. Some where within the hoards of people he felt someone grab onto his shoulder. Spinning around to see who it was, being that his sense of smell was still hindered, he was ecstatic to see that it was the missing couple. “Miroku! Sango!”

 

Without much thought he took both into a firm embrace at the same time, surprising all three parties. Quickly letting them go, blushing, and trying to pass on the sudden display of emotion as a momentary lapse in sanity.

 

Miroku smiled and clapped the hanyou on the shoulder, “It's great to see you too.”

 

“I thought you were dead. How the hell did you get out of there?”

 

Sango glanced toward the building then held onto Miroku's arm a little tighter, “We just happened to have been out for dinner tonight. I can't imagine what would have happened if we had been in there at the time. . . from what the police have been saying the bomb was set in our apartment. . . I'm just happy that this idiot finally took me out to dinner, and we were lucky enough for it to happen on this night.”

 

Inuyasha sighed in relief, “Is anyone else hurt?”

 

Miroku shook his head, “Thankfully the explosion was mostly isolated within our apartment, the only thing that spread was the fire. And being that we have the top floor, everyone had the opportunity to get out before the fire could block their path.” He tilted his head and observed Inuyasha's bandaged up leg, “My question is how on Earth you got hurt when no one else did.”

 

“Keh.” He wasn't about to confess that he made the rash decision of running into the flame-engulfed building thinking that his long time friends had been in danger.

 

Sango searched around the nearby people, “Where's Kagome? Did you leave her at home?”

 

“Crap!” Inuyasha's swept the crowd for the girl. “No, I brought her here and lost sight of her when I went in the building. . . Look, you guys head over to my house and I'll meet you there after finding Kagome.”

 

“Your house? Why are we going there?” Sango questioned as she smiled slightly at Inuyasha's worrisome composure of finding the lost girl.

 

Scrunching his brows he looked at the demon slayer, “Your apartment was just bombed, you really don't have any where else to go.”

 

“Hey, don't go thinking you're the only one with more than one property in Tokyo. We can go to the apartment we have that's further out of the city.”

 

Miroku shook his head, “We're better off at Inuyasha's place. I fear that in his old age Inuyasha has become paranoid and that now, it is the securest place we can go to. Any other of our properties might be rigged with a bomb, it's best not to take the chance.”

 

“In my old age? You're just as old as I am!”

 

“Oh, don't go pegging fifty plus years onto my already extensive life. Now, stop trying to argue with us and go find her. We'll pick up Kaede, Myouga and Shippou on the way.”

 

Inuyasha nodded, “Good. And call the dumb wolf and my idiot brother when you get the chance. I'm not sure who did this to you guys, but with everything that's been happening with Kagome I'm not afraid to say that it might all be connected with everyone from the feudal era.”

 

With that he left to go find the miko that was presently missing in action. Searching around the area where the police and firefighters were standing he was unable to find her. Obviously Kagome still never listened to a word he had to say for the benefit of her safety. Weaving through the throngs of on lookers, he was happy when his sense of smell finally came back to him. Sniffing about he finally caught the smell of Kagome and made his way out of the crowd. Breaking away from the mass of people he found Kagome sitting on a stone bench thirty yards away near a patch of trees. He caught the distinct smell of salt from her and realized she was crying.

 

Making quick work of the distance between them he crouched before her. “Kagome? Did something happen?”

 

She continued to sob as she saw through the tears that blurred her eyes that it was Inuyasha. Staring into his eyes she confessed what she had to do. “I-I killed him. He asked me to kill him.”

 

Confusion and disbelief crossed his face, “Kill who?”

 

She gulped down another onset of tears, “Hojo.”

 

“He came to you?” Although he had been the one to warn her about a possible necromancer trying to use in corpse against her, he never thought it might actually happen. He had thought it was just his paranoid mind, as Miroku put it, getting away with him.

 

“He was in pain. . . he was like Kikyou. . . only memories.” She looked away from Inuyasha piercing gaze. “Please don't hate me. I didn't want to do it, but. . . Oh God. . .”

 

Shaking his head he laid a comforting hand upon her trembling ones, “I don't hate you. I know you did whatever you had to do with good reason. Come on, let's go home. You can tell me what happened on the way there.”

 

She silently nodded as she slowly stood up next to him.

 

 

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“I told you to call them, not invite them over!” Inuyasha smacked the monk upside the head as he glared at his brother, his sister-in-law, and Kouga. “I understand Kaede, Myouga and Shippou being here but we really don't need to be having a reunion.”

 

A calmed down Kagome rolled her eyes as she tugged the hanyou down to sit next to her on the couch. “Just give it a rest. With everything that's happening it might be best if we stick close together. Anyways, it's not like you don't have enough room in this place for them.”

 

“We don't have time to deal with the foolishness of my brother. I am not here by my own will, but for the protection of Rin. Now, let us resolve this problem before I'm expected to stay here for a long period of time.”

 

Kagome nodded, “You're right. Well, I don't know when it all began for you guys, but it all started. . .” She went on the retell the past couple days while everyone listened disbelievingly.

 

“So you're a goddess? And Inuyasha is a god?” Sango shook her head and took a deep breath, “I don't know which situation is less believable.”

 

“What I don't get is why we're here. If Kagome and dog turd are that powerful why do they need humans or demons to help out?” Kouga sulked from his position on the sofa, it wasn't everyday that you found out your rival of half a millennia ended up being a god.

 

Before Inuyasha could yell at the wolf demon Kagome placed a stern hand upon his and spoke, “I don't think we're powerful Kouga. It's just that we were gods. . . I don't feel anymore godly than before I found out. . . whatever that means. . . but I know we need your help.” Her eyes swept across the room, “Everybody's. And I know I'm putting you all in danger by asking you to help in this second calling, but I don't know if I'll succeed without it.”

 

Miroku smiled and nodded, “I do not pretend to know the sentiments of others; however, if it is of any assistance you can count upon my help.”

 

“As well as mine.” Sango grasped Miroku's hand and looked toward Kagome with the undying friendship that had not melted away in the years of separation.

 

Everyone voiced they're help, even the solemn Sesshoumaru tilted his head downward in a show of participation in the second calling.

 

“Well I know you all are tired so I think it's best if Inuyasha shows you to your rooms.”

 

Inuyasha sputtered a moment to look over at the young miko, “Why me? Why do I have to play host all of a sudden?”

 

Giving him a deadpan look Kagome spoke, “That's because you are the host.” Seeing the stubborn look in his eye Kagome sighed and gestured everyone to follow, “Fine. I'll show everyone to their rooms. Forgive me if I don't know where everything is in this house, I'm still relatively new here.”

 

Half hour and much confusion later Kagome had been able to sort out the rooms. Sesshoumaru and Rin in the room farthest down the second floor hall. Miroku and Sango across the hall from them. The rest of the occupants were spread out across the second floor, each with their own room except Shippou and Kirara that shared a room. It didn't seem necessary to give Myouga a room, but he would also be staying with Shippou.

 

After everyone had said their good nights, while Sesshoumaru just shrugged and went to his room without a word, Inuyasha and Kagome were left alone in the hall. Stretching up, she kissed him on the cheek to whisper a good night and headed toward her room. Her path was stopped by the hanyou. “Where do you think you're going?”

 

“I'm going to bed like everyone else. It's been a long day Inuyasha and we have to go to work tomorrow, I really need the sleep.”

 

He nodded, “Yeah, I get that. But you're not going back to your old room.”

 

She sighed, “I'm not?”

 

“You're staying with me in my room.” He said it was if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

 

Her eyes widened as she fumbled over her words. “W-we're sharing a bed?”

 

“We've shared a bed before Kagome.”

 

She swerved her head around making sure no one was around than let out it a harsh whisper, “Well, that's because your apartment only had one bed! I don't see why we should share beds now.”

 

Rolling his eyes he suddenly swooped down to heft her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “Wow, Kagome, I didn't know you were this much of a prude.” Climbing the stairs in no time he open and closed the door and tossed her onto the bed unceremoniously.

 

“Inuyasha!”

 

Ignoring her he went to his dresser to pull out a pair of clean boxers and a white t-shirt. Strolling into the adjoining bathroom he shut the door behind him and the sound of the shower could be heard moments later.

 

After a few minutes of glaring at the bathroom door Kagome sighed and went over to the closet. All her clothes were down stairs and she wasn't about to go to have Inuyasha cause noise trying to get her back up here. Picking out a large dark red t-shirt she set it on the bed. Pulling off her shirt then wiggling out of her jeans she stood there in nothing but her undergarments. Taking Inuyasha's temporarily borrowed shirt turned pajamas she raised it over her head, when the bathroom door opened.

 

Inuyasha froze in place at the sight before him. The most gorgeous creature he had ever laid eyes on stood before him with her arms raised ready to put on one of his shirts, with nothing but matching lacy lavender bra and panties.

 

After a long awkward pause Kagome blushed profusely and yanked the shirt on, “Inuyasha!”

 

A part of him had stirred awake at the sight and he was now taking deep calming breaths. Damn his hanyou libido.

 

“Knock next time!” She turned away from him to hide her blush.

 

Her back toward him he walked up to her and wrapped his strong arms around from behind. “Knock to come out of a room? If I had knocked I would have been able to see that. . .” He felt himself harden at the thought of her and what lay beneath the shirt that now covered her.

 

Unconsciously his hips grinded forward and she felt the evidence of his arousal poking her in the lower back. She released shallow breaths as she unknowingly wiggled her posterior toward him. “Inuyasha. . .”

 

He let out a groan at her body movements and sound of his name falling off her lips. Turning her around slowly he then pushed her backward until her knees bent because of the bed as he followed. The woman below him was panting as she languidly opened her eyes to stare into his golden ones. Seeing the lusty look in her gaze, he wasn't sure if he could control himself much longer. Five hundred years of celibacy waiting for one woman had made him carry around a hefty bottle of pent of sexual frustration. Now, the woman of his dreams lay below him barely covered besides his t-shirt.

 

“Kagome. W-we have to stop now or I won't be able to lat-” His words were cut off when she leaned upward to place a firm kiss upon his lips.

 

Trailing kisses across his jaw to his human ears she whispered out. “Then don't stop.” She wasn't sure where she had gotten the sudden urge in confidence but she wasn't about to let it go.

 

Her words sent him let out another groan as his body rocked toward hers. “Oh God. . .” Shaking his head slightly to gather himself he pulled back to stare into her eyes. “We don't have to do this Kagome.”

 

Unsure of where her boldness was coming from she let her hand slip from around his neck to reach down and stroke him through the fabric of his pants. “I want to.”

 

With the stroke of her gentle hands he lost it. Reaching his hands down to the hem of the shirt she was wearing he pulled it up over her head. He looked down upon the barely covered up woman and allowed his hands to trace across her body. His human hands caressed along her hips and upward to cup her breasts.

 

Arching her back into his hands she moaned out his name. She stopped his hands and struggled to open her eyes and locked it with his. “Lower your concealing spell. . . I want this to be with the real Inuyasha. . . the hanyou that I fell in love with.”

 

His heart melted at her words and he allowed his real self to appear. He leaned down to kiss her fully. Tongue tracing lips to ask for the entrance that it quickly received, he learned the contours of her mouth with his own while his hands memorized her body. Breaking away from the prolonged kiss he sighed as he felt her hands tracing his dog-ears. Looking down upon her with eyes full of emotion he let himself go to the passion. “I love you.”

 

 

 

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A/N: Yes people, Kagome and Inuyasha finally get down to business. It took me forever in deciding whether or not I would write a lemon. If it had been 17 chapters ago I would sternly say no and go along with that, but now that I'm 19 and not 16 years old I'm a very different person. However, the story is still the same and amazingly I still have some of the same readers that I've had since the beginning. And I realized that I owed it to them to keep this fanfic without a lemon. Anyways, it's not like I'm great at writing them (being as I have yet to write one. . .). And so, to those who have asked the question: No, this fic will not include a lemon.

Until next time!