InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Serendipity ❯ Winter Fantasy Part.2 ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"Alright, InuYasha! We have to find the perfect gift for Mom, Souta, and Gramps!" Kagome announced, whilst massassing her chin with her index finger and thumb, conviction coating her features. InuYasha simply nodded, massaging his chin momentarily, a clawed finger tapping against the corner of his mouth. They were at the entrance of the bustling mall, people rushing around like wild life.
It was Christmas eve, and everyone was attempting to get hours of last minute shopping in.

"Hey, do you want to get anything for your father and brother?" she asked softly, hesitation evident in her eyes. He quickly averted his gaze, meeting hers in the process before slowly looking away.

"Don't think so."

She sighed, fumbling her fingers together in defeat.

Can't say that I didn't try.

"Alrighty then! Let's split up!"

He quickly raised a brow in confusion, his lips already forming the question that lingered in his mind.

"Split up? Why?"

Kagome smiled, her rose petal lips glistening slightly from the green apple gloss he watched her apply on earlier. The memory of her puckered lips, whilst the gloss oozed from its container and glistened was inprinted permanently in his brain, stored away for later. She'd slowly, almost teasingly, slid her tongue over the area that contained an excess of gloss, and she'd lick it off, her tongue practically gesturing his to collide with hers' in a tango that only they could execute.

"Well, you can't be around while I pick your gift out, now can you?" she teased, tilting her head to the side, while her locks tumbled down her shoulder, reaching her navel. His eyes widened in surprise, awe, even.

She absolutle adored the way those rich, amber eyes of his lit up, while backing away sneakily.

"Meet ya back here in an hour, InuYasha!"

And like that, Kagome bounced off into the crowd, her scent colliding with that of the rustling crowd of dangerous shoppers.

He felt the corners of his mouth curve upward, forming his signature smirk.

---

It took him an entire hour to find it.

A whole fuckin' hour. What if she doesn't even like the damn thing?

His fingers continued to collide with the items' container in his pocket, his claws making abstract designs over the smooth material. He stood againt the frame of the entrace, his nose going nito overdrive, trying to sniff out Kagome amongst the hundreds of shoppers. His ears folded against his scapl as children shrieked at the toy stores, begging their parents to buy the items for them. Women screamed in excitement to get the finest clothing, jewelry, and shoes.

So many damn noises...

And finally, the tantalizing scent of Kagome reached his nostrils, making his eyes haze in the process. He pinpointed her location, bounting up the escalators, muttering many "excuse me's" to the people she oh so gently shoved aside. She somehow, miraculously managed to balance with an endless amount of bags on her arms. Seeing her in distress, he immediately rushed to her rescue, taking the load awat from her.

"Geez, woman! Did ya buy the entire store?"

She huffed, resting her hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

"Those people are monsters."

He chuckled, balanacing the gifts with ease.
"It smells great in here, Mom!" Kagome exclaimed, eying the pot on the stove with lust in her eyes.

InuYasha tumbled in behind her, sliding his shoes off, his eyes widening at the incredible smells floating to his nose. Ms. Higurashi giggled, turning the corner to take the bags from the hanyou, a flattered grin on her face.

"Oh, you're letting your hunger speak for you. I assume the shopping went well?"

Kagome nodded eagerly, digging into the cabinet for the hot chocolate.

"It was dangerous out there, Mom. Those people almost devoured us!"

Her mother laughed, before gesturing InuYasha over, holding out a spoon full of the soup she had boiling to him.

Tentatively, he went to her, eying the spoon as if it were a foreign object.

"It tends to be that way on Christmas Eve, honey. Blow, " she instructed, that famous smile never leaving her lips.

He did as told, before gulping down what tasted like chicken soup.

"That's...incredible," he responded, his voice laden with awe.

She giggled, turning her back to him to attend to the soup once again.

"You kids spoil me!"

"Sit!" Kagome demanded, pointing to the kitchen table, while she filled a pot up with water.

He did so, watching her with curiosity.

"So, where's Souta and Gramps?"

"Souta is over Suichi's, while Dad is upstairs napping. Are you staying over for tonight, InuYasha?"

The hanyou gulped nervously.

Geez, Kagome hadn't even told her mom?

"Ya, I invited him. That okay?" Kagome answered nonchalantly, coming to his rescue.

"Oh, of course! I was about to insist that you stay, but I see my daughter has beat me to it!"

At that, the women chuckled, both of them standing side by side in front of the stove.

InuYasha gawked at them as if they were from another world.

The Higurashi women are absolutely mad. They want me here? Pfft, crazy.

Despite thinking this, a small smile worked its way to his lips.

They two continued to chatter incessisantly, before Kagome passed a mug to him while winking.

"I make the best hot chocolate ever. Let it blow your taste buds away!"

He smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"Someone's cocky."

They glared, until finally, the hanyou took a sip, the hotness of the beverage instantly relaxing him.

"See? Don't you feel more at ease?" she cooed, batting her lashes at him.

He glanced up at her breifly, before averting his eyes back to his mug.

"I always feel at ease when you're around, you silly woman."

At that, the girl's cheeks turned red, defnitely not expecting an answer like that.

Though the compliment sounded more like an insult, she way that he said it made her heart flutter like crazy.

Seeing this, Ms. Higurashi giggled softly.

"Why don't you two go relax in the den and watch a movie? I'll let you know when dinner is ready."

With that, she brushed them into the next room, leaving a blushing hanyou and embarrassed Kagome.
She got comfortable on the cough, folding her legs up and patted the cusion next to her with a smile.

He huffed and sat down next to her, sweating slightly at their proximity. He could practically feel his demon half pulsing at Kagome's presence, lured by her scent.

"Say, InuYasha?"

"Hmm?"

"Could you tell me more about... you demonic side?"

Well, that was random.

He instantly stared at her, his eyes widening.

"Kagome--"

"I know you don't like to talk about it, but don't you trsut me a little more now?" she asked softly, her gaze colliding with his.

He sighed in frustration.

"Well, I'm not like humans. I see, smell, and think differently than you do. Like right now--"

He leaned forward bravely, burrowing his nose in the crook of her neck.

"You smell like fresh vanilla and cinnamon. You always do.."

She blushed at his proximity, noticing how gentle his voice had become. He forced himself to move away, forcing himself not to dart out his tonue and glide it across her warm skin.

"It's your natural scent. All demons can smell it."

Her lips parted in shock.

"All demons can smell me!?"

He smirked.

"Duh, woman! You've got nothing to worry about, you always smell nice, anyway."

She smiled, knowing that the hanyou hadn't realized that he had just complimented her.

"And unlike humans, we mate for life. Humans can pick as many partners as they'd like. Demons only get one."

He emphasized this by holding up one clawed finger.

"So once you pick a 'mate', they're yours for life?"

He nodded, suddenly looking more serious. His golden eyes were glowing, piercing through the very depths of her.

"So, what exactly defines a mate? Is it like marriage?" she asked softly, turning to face him, her elbow propped upon the back of the couch while her chin rested in her palm.

InuYasha quickly averted his eyes, the bridge of his nose turning light red.

"Pfft, that ain't important!"

"Oh, just tell me! I'm curious!" she argued.

"Well for starters, it's not like marriage. I won't go into the details of mating--"

She smiled at his embarrassment of the topic.

"But once a demon has chosen a mate, they share an eternal bond. It cannot be broken like wedding vows."

She absentmindedly began tugging on loose strands of her hair, her gaze far away.

"So.. are you going to mate with a demon, also?"

He scoffed, crossing his arms, the look in his eyes seeming wiser beyond his years.

"Kagome, I'm not like you. I'm looked down upon in the demon community. No demon would ever desire to mate with me. And as far as humans go.."

He stared down at his claws, a look in nostalgia in his eyes.

"My mother was the only human who loved me, loved me with all of her being. She wasn't ashamed of me in any way imaginable. Humans are disgusted by me, by the blood that's rushing through my veins."

His said this with such spite, such raw pain.

"InuYasha.."

He didn't deserve this.

"I didn't ask to be born this way. I didn't ask for any of it. If it weere up to me, I'd rather just not have been--"

"Don't say that, InuYasha," Kagome whispered, bringing him into an embrace.

"I know that I can't take your pain away. I know that I'm only one person, and I'm very unimportant at that, but InuYasha, I accept you. You may think something is wrong with me for doing so, but so what? You're kind, sweet, and a jerk all in one--"

He smirked, resting his chin atop of her head.

"But I like that about you. Everyone else is foolish!"

He was more touched by her words than he allowed himself to let on.

"Did you ever think that maybe you're the foolish one, Kagome?" he asked in a joking tone.

She smiled, her cheek still pressed against his chest.

"You idiot."

As she pulled away, their eyes locked.

"You'll find a mate, InuYasha. I know you will," she murmured, becoming mesmerized by the way his twilight eyes bore into hers. Her scent continued its assault on his senses, making him feel weary and warm at the same time. He felt his eyes becoming heavily lidded, felt his body relaxing completely with her being so close.

Unconsciously, his clawed hand rested on her cheek, his gaze strangely loving.

"What makes you so sure?" he asked softly, uncharacteristically.

This position felt so natural to her, his gentle caress and soothing voice was hypnotic.

Her tongue slid over her suddenly dry lips, seeing the hanyou's eyes follow the movement.

"I..I just know you will. You're a great guy, InuYasha.." she felt her voice growing softer.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you.."

"Anyone?" he repeated, his gave never leaving hers.

"Anyone.." she responded naturally, as her brain began to stop functioning. It was if she were speaking with her heart.

She bravely rested her hand on his cheek as well, nuzzling her nose against him, giving the love starved boy what he deserved.

Affection.

She heard him gasp quietly.

"Kagome..."

"I'm lucky to have you, InuYasha. So lucky.."

"I'm the lucky one," he spoke softly, shoving a hand in her hair, letting the silk strands fan out around him. He groaned as her scent intensified, making him shut his eyes in the process.

She pulled back slowly, a hand going up to his ears, making him sign in contentment.

She moved forward and pressed her lips to his forehead, just like his mother used to do.

"I'll never leave, I swear to you," she chanted, the sutra providing him with an abundance of an unfamilair emotion. His heart began to beat faster, his stomach was doing backflips, and he felt incredibly warm. What was this feeling?

He buried his nose in the crook of her neck once again, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"Never?" he whispered, sounding like a hopeful child.

"Never," she murmured, still massaging his ears.

"I'll hold you to that, Kagome."

"Thank you so much, Sis!" Souta exclaimed, hugging the dear life out of Kagome.

"Now now, Souta. Let her breathe," Gramps chuckled, admiring his gift from his granddaughter as well, which happened to be a replica of the infamous "Shikon no Tama."

He quickly pulled his arms away, holding the new Street Fighters IV game in hand. He scurried off to his room, eager to play it.

"These winter boots are absolutely fabulous, dear!" Ms. Higurashi exclaimed, examining the black heels that she now modeled on her feet.

"I'm glad you all enjoyed your gifts! I enjoyed mine as well," she responded, gesturing to the winter sweater and new outift she had received.

"Time to out this into the shrine!" Gramps exclaimed, rushing off to find special glass case for it.

"I suppose I should put these up as well," her mom said, going upstairs.

"They sure seemed happy," InuYasha said with a smirk, standing comfortably against the wall, arms crossed.

It was Christmas morning, and everyone had gotten up early to exchange gifts. the two had fallen alseep on the couch together last night.

Recalling the though made the girl blush, before fishing for a bag hidden away in the corner.

"You didn't think I forgot you, did you?" she said with a cat-like smile.

"You didn't have to get me anything, woman," he huffed, attempting to play off the warmth he felt in his heart.

"I know that I didn't have to, but I wanted to! Now close your eyes!"

"Crazy, I tell ya," he mumbled before obeying.

"Hold out your hands."

He grunted, but did so.

He felt something heavy being placed, before she said "Open!"

Instantly, his eyes fell on something rectangular wrapped in red wrapping paper.

He looked up at her, confusion evident in his eyes, only to see her smiling like a child.

"Open, open open!"

He did as he was told, carefully unwrapping the paper, until the words "Prismacolor Art Set" caught his attention.

His jaw dropped.

He continued to unwrap, now scrutinizing the set.

"One hundred and fifty colored pencils, twenty-five painting colors, and ten graphite penicls all in one," he read aloud, his eyes almost bulging out of his head.

"Mhm!" she said, nodding vigorously.

He was at a lost for words.

"Prismacolor" was one of the best names around for artist supplies.

It must have cost a fortune!

"Kagome.." he began.

"Turn it over," she commanded, motioning with her index finger.

He immediately did so, to find a note taped to the back of it.

He carefully clawed it off, only to see a bright smiley face on the cover, making him chuckle.

It was so Kagome.

"I hope you love this gift! Once I saw it, I knew that it was made especially for you! I hope you have as much using it as I did buying it.

- Kagome :)

P.S- You're the best hanyou friend that I have, so you have to always be within reach, got it?"

He chuckled, folding the note back up and sliding it in his pocket.

"I promise, you silly girl."

Her smile grew even wider, if possible.

"Thankyou, Kagome. Thank you so much, he murmured, pulling her into another hug.

She noted how much he'd been hugging her lately, which made her heart flutter incessisantly.

Gods, I can't but feel this way when I'm around him.


"I have something for you too," he whispered softly, pulling back and digging into his pocket.

Her eyes followed his movement, before seeing a burgundy container in his clawed fingers.

He forcefully held it out to her, turning his head the opposite direction, his face red.

"H-here."

Her eyes widened as she silently took it, eying it carefully.

"InuYasha.."

Hesistantly, she opened it and gasped audibly.

It was a golden locket, carved with abstract intricate designs, a red ruby resting in the very center of it. The chain spiraled magnificantly, glistening the in the den's lighting.

"InuYasha..oh gods.."

He winced.

Did she not like it?

"Kagome, I--"

"InuYasha, I love it," she whispered, shaking slightly, her eyes becoming glossy and watery.

He sighed in relief, before noticing her tears.

"It's beautiful," she continued, wiping her eyes.

"Kagome, don't cry," he said softly, his dog ears flattening against his scalp.

"I'm alright," she said, chuckling slightly.

He began to wipe her cheeks with his thumbs, examining her as if he didn't believe her words.

"Silly girl," he reprimanded, before taking the locket from her grasp and carefully tying it behind her neck.

After doing so, he admired the way it contrasted with her beautifully pale skin, also making her collarbone look rather...nice.

She ran her fingers over the delicate locket, a small smile making its way to her rose petal lips.

Their eyes met yet again, the familiar electricity bounting off from their gaze.

"You look beautiful," he spoke softly before he could stop himself.

Her eyes widened.

Fuck, why did I say that?

"I mean, the locket looks really nice on you," he recovered, his face now as red as a tomato.

She giggled and leaned forward, her lips coming in contact with his cheek.

"Thank you, InuYasha."

He huffed, but smiled regardlessly.

Before he realized what was happening, Kagome seemed..closer. Was he leaning forward? Was she? Why did things suddenly begin to feel so hazy? Why were his eyelids suddenly feeling so heavy? And why were Kagome's lips looking so damned soft right now? So pink...

Under his scrutiny, Kagome licked her lips unconsciously, feeling nervous.

Why did she have to lick them, dammit?

Her scent grew stronger in his nostrils, making him exhale slowly attmepting to trap as much of it as he could.

"Kagome," he breathed, cupping her face once again.

"InuYasha.."

His eyes began to close and their lips came closer to their destinations.

Her scent was absolutely maddening, making him do things he wouldn't normally.

"Kagome, what do you and InuYasha want for dinner?" Ms. Higurashi called from the stairs, snapping the two out of their reverie.

Their eyes met momentarily, before they quickly looked opposite directions.

Ah, shit.