InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ That's the Way Love Goes ❯ XI ( Chapter 11 )

A/N: Wow. And when I say `wow' I mean… WOW. You guys are incredibly awesome. You've shown incredible support for this story in so many ways - I get the best reviews, and emails, and private messages. I'm so thrilled with your enthusiasm! Unfortunately, I've gotten to the point where I've realized that my `Thank You's and such were taking up too much space - sometimes a whole page. So I'm sorry I won't be responding anymore to your comments (although I occasionally may answer questions here) on the sites where I can't immediately respond - MediaMiner, adultfanfiction, and Dokuga. But I hope you realize that I DO read every single one. How do you think I'm able to get these chapters out so quickly when they're so huge? YOU GUYS. All of you that leave such lovely reviews. If you don't believe me, visit this story on one of the other sites, where I have the option to respond: Inuyasha-fanfiction (where I'm a moderator), deviantART, fanfiction. Net. I read all of them and respond where I can. Because reviews = love and fuel. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever you celebrate!

 

This is a beautifully enchanting song. It has a haunting quality that fit many parts of this chapter. I recommend it to anyone that likes ballads or ethnic music.

 

“Be careful with my heart, you could break it.

Don't take my love for granted, things could change.

Sometimes I go insane; I play the fool and you'll agree.

I'll never be the same without you here with me…

 

Cuidado (Be careful) con mi Corazon

Carismo, no mi lastimes

Cuidado, es mi Corazon, mi Corazon…” - Ricky Martin and Madonna, Be Careful (Cuidado)

 

 

That's the Way Love Goes

Chapter XI

 

Kagome wondered if it got any easier. It was now September, and even though she did feel… well, not as bad, she still wasn't able to think his name. If she did, she would wind up crumpled on the floor, clutching at her middle, trying to keep herself from ripping in two.

 

Sometimes, she succeeded, and would pull herself together and brush it off.

 

Sometimes, she wouldn't.

 

Today was one of those days. Attempting to calm herself, she tried to think of why this happened. What had reminded her of him so sharply that she now felt like her body was trying to turn itself inside out? It had started out innocently enough.

 

Souta, now in Middle School, had been foolishly kicking a soccer ball up the shrine steps. At some point, the ball had hit a corner and bounded down the stairs and as the boy turned to run after it so it didn't get caught in traffic, he not only managed to twist his ankle, but fell down the stairs. From about half-way up.

Kagome had heard the commotion and was just helping an elderly patron out of the Shrine's garden when she heard her brother's cry. Inuyasha had bounded away, and Kagome had excused herself to run after him. When she got there, she found Inuyasha leaping back up her family's steps and had a wincing and groaning Souta in his arms. With cuts, scrapes, and bruises everywhere, Kagome was worried to the point of being sick. Inuyasha tried to calm her, but she ran frantically into the house to call her mother, who was visiting a friend in the hospital. Sighing, Inuyasha went after her, making Souta sit in a kitchen chair.

 

Luckily, she was so frantic she couldn't even find the phone, which was, incidentally, where it always was on the kitchen counter. Souta convinced his sister he wasn't as hurt as it looked and they didn't need to worry their mother. Near tears, Kagome agreed. It would do no good to make their mother rush home; she might get hurt in the process. And Kagome couldn't take any more pain.

 

Their grandfather was still prattling away to visitors, trying to sell them his wards and talismen, and didn't need to be bothered. So Kagome ran upstairs for a first aid kit and some Tylenol. She returned only a few minutes later, filled a glass with water, and made him take the pain-killers. He tried to play manly - she suspected mostly for Inuyasha's benefit - but Kagome was if anything, persistent. When that was over, she broke out the antiseptics and began.

 

When all the cuts and scrapes were clean and bandaged, she prodded his already-swollen ankle. She was sure it was only a three or four day sprain, and bandaged it tightly. She happily informed him that he should sit on the couch for the rest of the night with his foot elevated, and to put a pillow under it while he slept, too.

 

“Can I have tomorrow off from school, too?” he asked slyly.

 

Kagome laughed, and Inuyasha was happy to hear the sound. “I'm not your mom,” she said sarcastically, “or your doctor. So ask Mom, or, you can go to the hospital,” she informed him cheerily.

 

He scowled. “No thanks. On either.”

 

Kagome laughed again, and Inuyasha laughed with her. It was contagious, and the boy found himself chuckling at himself as well.

 

When they calmed, Kagome looked at her brother with a grin. “Now, there's nothing else, right? I mean, I don't see anything that looks like a broken bone - no intense swelling and bruising - but you never know.” Then she became serious. “Souta, you're really lucky. What if you had hit your head? And you could've rolled right into the street…”

 

“Naw, I caught him before that happened,” Inuyasha interjected.

 

“If you hadn't been there…” Kagome placed a hand on the hanyou's shoulder, and the look in her eyes was troubled.

 

“But he was,” Souta piped. Then he scowled at the half-demon. “Too bad you couldn't save my ball, too.”

 

Inuyasha snorted. “We'll get you another one, kid. You can't get another head.”

 

“I dunno…” Souta joked, “I'm feelin' kinda dizzy without my ball… Oh no, I'm starting to lose my memory…”

 

Inuyasha froze with stress as he saw Kagome tense, her eyes a perfect caricature of horror. They both watched as the boy turned his gaze to his sister, his expression confused.

 

“Hey, who are you?”

 

Kagome stood in shock for a few seconds, wavering under her grief. And then, so quick they didn't know what happened, she bolted. Stumbling, she half-ran, half-climbed up the stairs. Inuyasha turned to go after her.

 

“Wha'd I say?” Souta asked, his voice a whisper.

 

Inuyasha sighed. “S'not your fault, kid. You didn't know.” He looked back towards the stairs when he heard her door slam. “Damn it,” he murmured.

 

And now she felt horrible. Not just because she thought her stomach was going to eat through her until it made a hole and escaped to find a better host, but because she had probably worried her brother. And most likely, he was going to tell their mother. Not that it mattered - mama seemed to know exactly what was going on, although she was sure Inuyasha hadn't said anything concerning Ses - him, concerning him.

 

She heard Inuyasha creep into her room and felt him sit on her bed next to her. She was facing the wall, but she could tell that he was probably looking pretty depressed. That's all she was good for, nowadays. Making other people worry about her.

 

He put a hand on her shoulder and sighed. “You know, it's… different. Souta was just…” He sighed again, exasperated and not sure what the right thing to say was.

 

She tried to turn. “I know. I'm sorry,” she told him.

 

Inuyasha huffed, angry. “Don't apologize. It's not your fault something upset you. You have a right to be sad. Just… don't make your brother worry. Okay?”

 

Kagome looked at him wide-eyed. She hadn't predicted that type of response.

 

“And…” he began, but then unsure of his words again, “maybe you could… you know… talk to him. About it, I mean.”

 

Kagome swallowed, trying to digest his words.

 

Sighing yet again - for the past year, he had been doing a lot of sighing. It could be considered his job, or even a hobby by this point - he ran a clawed hand through his thick, white hair. “I mean, you don't have to tell him. But I'm sure he wants to understand. And… you need to talk to someone, Kagome.” His eyes were trained on the floor, and he wondered if she was going to kick him out of the room. He didn't want to see what her expression was.

 

But then he felt movement, and suddenly she was sitting next to him. Gingerly, as if she was afraid he'd run from her touch, she put her arms around him. It wasn't until she had placed her head on his shoulder that he looked at her. She looked so sad. He lifted a hand and caressed her face. He was surprised when she didn't shy away from his touch. And then she was speaking quietly to him.

 

“You're right,” she said.

 

His neck craned so he could raise an eyebrow at her.

 

She almost smiled at his expression, but the pain was still coursing through her veins.

 

“I don't think Souta can handle it, though. He's too young to deal with my problems, and he shouldn't have to worry about me even more. But I will talk to him. As for…”

 

She had trailed off, and Inuyasha knew what she meant. As for her `problem' and who to speak to… He figured he should see Sango tonight. Maybe Kagome would want to have some alone time with her friend.

 

“Well, when you're ready, I'd like to talk to you about it.”

 

This time, he had to pull away from her to pin her with an incredulous look. “Me? Why? I mean… I mean you can, it's just that… wouldn't you rather talk to Sango?” He still didn't understand why she would want to tell him. And could he handle it? Could he be calm while he listened to her speak of his brother as the love of her life?

 

“Because you're my best friend, silly,” she told him, squeezing a little as she did so.

 

He almost laughed. Not just at the pathetic attempt at a hug - she was so much weaker now he was sure that if he squeezed her, she would break - but also at her words. Best friend. How did he end up with that title? Oh, right.

 

But when he thought about it, she was right. They knew each other like no one else. And they loved each other immensely. Well, she may not feel the same way as he did right now, but he still loved her in a way that would make him do anything for her, whether she was his or not. After all, that's why he was still here, right?

 

With another sigh - he really should keep count. Maybe there was some sort of record? - he patted her head. “Anytime,” he told her.

 

And the most amazing thing happened. She lifted her head, looked deep into his eyes with her beautiful blue pools and smiled.

 

And he was done. If she had asked for his liver, he would have carved it out himself and presented it on a plate. Need my kidney? Here, take it. My lungs? Sure, what do I need them for anyways?

 

And he felt like he had no lungs at that point, because despite her poor health, she was still the most gorgeous woman in the world, and just looking at her, he couldn't breathe.

 

He knew he could do it now. He could lean forward, just a little, and take her. She might let him. But…

 

And there it was. But. That single, innocent-looking word grounded him. Because if she rejected him again, he might go insane. And if she didn't truly want to, it could break her and make her hate him. And that was a risk he wasn't willing to take.

 

It had only lasted a second, and then she was walking out of the room, presumably to her brother. Exhausted, Inuyasha let himself fall backwards onto the bed.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

Kagome approached the living room cautiously. She had no idea what state her brother was in, but he had taken her advice to heart, although he had embellished a little. Using an ice pack against a bruise on his shin and moving around a little too much as he played a video game, Kagome thought he looked like a perfectly normal Middle School boy. It wasn't his fault his sister was able to travel back and forth between the Feudal Era. It wasn't his fault she had involved herself with a Taiyoukai - she cringed at this; moving on! - and it wasn't his fault she was absolutely out of her mind right now. But he did deserve to know something.

 

“Souta?” she called softly.

 

Despite the roars of the monsters on the screen, he looked up. Quickly, he paused the game and began to gush.

 

“I'm so sorry, Kagome! I didn't mean to upset you! I didn't know-”

 

Kagome was angry with herself. “Souta, don't apologize!” She tried to remember Inuyasha's words. Since when did she copy anything he said? She almost laughed, despite herself. “I… can't tell you much, but you deserve better. I'm sorry, Souta. I didn't mean for you to see…” She sighed, feeling the tendrils of grief grasping at her again.

 

“It's okay, sis. I know you haven't been yourself for a while. I… I noticed when you came back that you and Inuyasha weren't… well, you know. And I thought maybe it was because of him, since he wasn't around at first. But he's been here, like, well, all day every day.”

 

On the one hand, Kagome wondered when her brother had become so sharp. How had he noticed all that? And if he figured all that out, maybe he wasn't so innocent after all. Maybe he could handle it… No. She wouldn't involve any of her family. Even though it seemed like some of them were already more involved than they let on.

 

On the other hand, she thought about his words. It did seem odd, that Inuyasha was here all the time. It never bothered her, so she hadn't thought about it. But… hadn't he hated her the last time he saw her? She could've sworn on her father's grave that he was never going to talk to her again. But here he was, hovering like a mother hen and always looking like he was going to catch her even though she wasn't falling.

 

But maybe that was it. Maybe she was falling. At least metaphorically. And Inuyasha had always been there to catch her, as he was now. She just hadn't noticed, because she had needed him so badly. Man, she really owed him. If he hadn't been there… Kagome shuddered at the thought. He deserved so much better.

 

Bringing herself to the present, Kagome shook her head at her little brother. “I don't even know why he stays,” she said, a sad smile on her lips.

 

Souta looked at her dubiously, as if he knew something she didn't. She ignored it, not wanting to explore the thought.

 

“Anyways, I just wanted you to know that you shouldn't worry about saying the wrong thing to me. I… fell in love with someone else. Over there. But he rejected me. So… I'm having a hard time.”

 

“I figured it had to do with love. I just couldn't believe it wasn't Inuyasha. Ever since you were dragged down that well, it's always been Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome smiled wistfully. “Yeah. But when you grow up, you find that there are some things you're capable of, and some that you aren't.”

 

“You mean waiting around for him to ask you to marry him?” her brother asked playfully, lowering his voice.

 

“Souta!” Kagome cried, scandalized. When had he become so perceptive?

 

He waved her off. “Whatever. Okay, I got it. So, this guy. He… No, never mind,” he said, frowning.

 

“No, it's okay, I think. Go ahead.”

 

Souta pinned her with a glare. “I don't wanna,” he said.

 

“Really, Souta. I'll be okay,” she soothed, attempting a smile. Perhaps her expression gave her away. She was so afraid of what he was going to ask. So scared it would rip the hole in her wide open…

 

He still looked at her doubtfully, but he spoke anyways. “Was he, like… a boyfriend? Or like… your Romeo?”

 

It hurt. Especially put in that context. There was no way that he could be poured into a mold like `boyfriend'. But Romeo… Oh, boy. Souta had hit the nail on the head. Because all this time, she really hadn't felt like living without him. Oh, sure, she wasn't stupid enough to openly `off' herself, but she didn't really have any joy in living, either.

 

He could see the pain in her eyes, although she was trying to fight it. He turned his eyes downward. “Right. Got it. Sorry,” he said quietly.

 

What could she say? She couldn't brush it off, and she certainly couldn't deny it. But there was no doubt in her mind that - she would have to trade Inuyasha for Paris - he was her Romeo. Speaking of which…

 

“Where'd you learn about them?” she said, playfully ruffling his hair, much to his chagrin.

 

“School, duh. Last year, actually. We had to read it in class together. Really sad.” Then he looked up at her, and she felt like he looked through her, and could feel her pain. She couldn't bear it.

 

“I think I'm going to go take a nap. Try not to bounce around so much or your ankle will take even longer to heal,” she told him as she turned to trudge up the stairs.

 

She wondered how long it was going to take her to heal again. Not that she was healed before.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

Inuyasha lay on Kagome's bed, wondering - for the two-hundredth, thirty-fifth time - why he was putting himself through this. Was it some sort of penance? No, that's not why he was here. Deep down, he knew. He knew that despite the fact that the woman he loved more than anything was mourning the loss of his brother, he couldn't abandon her. And he couldn't give up on the chance that maybe, on some strange occurrence, she might turn to him. And then, perhaps…

 

Was it wrong to hope? Had he imagined her words a little while ago? She had said she was going to talk to him - was that a good thing, or an omen of what was to happen to their relationship? Did he really want to hear? Maybe he should leave. Maybe he should go back to his own time, and forget the raven-haired woman that held his heart. But that was the problem: she would always have his heart.

 

And so he couldn't bring himself to leave. Because she needed him. Because no matter what she was going to hurt him with, he was sure she was going through a lot worse. Because he knew there was still a chance with Kagome - even if they never became one, he would still have her in his life. But her prospect with Sesshoumaru - he growled just thinking his brother's name - had vanished. She wouldn't see him again. And he certainly wasn't going to come crawling back to her on his hands and knees, that proud, arrogant asshole.

 

So, he was back at square one. He was in the future, guilt and honor and hope chaining him here while Kagome, sorrow and pain and grief forcing her against the past, where, despite her efforts, she really wanted to be.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

Kagome tentatively opened the door to her room, feeling silly for almost feeling intrusive. It was her room, damn it.

 

She noticed that Inuyasha had fallen asleep. Nostalgia punched her in the gut, hard. He looked troubled in his sleep, like he had when he had slept in her bed during the hunt for Naraku. Kagome sighed. It always came back to the evil hanyou. Would she never be freed from the demons that lurked in her thoughts?

 

She laid down next to him, comfortable now with their sleeping arrangement; he always slept with her in her bed, and they often held each other, although Kagome was unsure for whose benefit it was. She wasn't stupid. As Souta had pointed out, the hanyou obviously still had feelings for her. But she knew that wasn't the only reason he hung around. But she also knew she needed him. Who knows what state she would be in if he wasn't here to keep her in one piece as she slept?

 

She knew it was wrong. On some mornings, she would wake up crying. Silently, but she knew Inuyasha knew it; he could smell the tears. But she couldn't bring herself to tell him why. His arms chased her sorrow away. In her dreams, she imagined it was Sesshoumaru holding her again. In her sleep, she finally felt happy and secure. But as she would wake, she knew instinctively that it was Inuyasha - the arms were shorter and thicker, not the long, lean muscles of her youkai. And so, just before she opened her eyes, she would begin to cry.

 

But, it could be so much worse.

 

There were other mornings where she would wake up screaming and crying furiously. Her mother had stopped coming to check on her, knowing her daughter was inconsolable. These were the result of the nights that Inuyasha left to check on their friends in the Feudal Era. He didn't go every night now, since he said they didn't need him as much. But Kagome knew better; either her mother or brother must have told him how awful it was in the morning sometimes. Of course, they still thought he went home every night, so they had no idea that on the days her sobbing was quiet, he was there, soothing her as she calmed.

 

So now, she had to decide. She was tired. Tired of crying, tired of lying, tired of looking like… well, like a zombie from one of Souta's video games. And she wasn't just tired. She was angry. Angry at Sesshoumaru, for turning on her, despite his promises - had that been a guise? No, without the full extent of his memory, he truly had loved her. She was also angry at herself. Why should she ruin her life for him? Wouldn't that just make the demon lord more satisfied? The lowly human, sobbing over her love for the heartless Taiyoukai… It was pathetic, and she knew it. She was stronger than that. Inuyasha had been her first love, and she didn't take it nearly as hard when she realized nothing was going to happen with him.

 

But he didn't leave you, a treacherous voice whispered to her in the confines of her mind.

 

Scowling at her conscience, Kagome knew there needed to be a change. She needed to do something. Anything.

 

Glancing at Inuyasha's pained, sleeping face, Kagome wondered. What if…

 

What if…? What if Romeo had decided Juliet wasn't worth his time, because they were from two different societies? What if Romeo had abandoned her? Could Juliet find love again? What if Paris had been there to hold her hand as she grieved for Romeo? Could she grow to love Paris? Of course, it could never be the same as with Romeo, but she would be - if only a ghost of happiness - happy. And Paris, who had dreamed of having Juliet, and comforted her, and stayed with her loyally, would finally be happy.

 

Could she do that? Could she fall for Paris? Or at least, love him enough to make him happy?

 

Kagome teetered on a dangerous precipice. If she made the decision, if she truly wanted Paris - Inuyasha - to be happy, she wouldn't be able to take it back if she found it too difficult. She had broken Paris' heart once already, and a second time would put him in a state worse than her own. To lead him on to shoot him down… it was unthinkable. If she went through with it, that was it.

 

But… Sesshoumaru…

 

She allowed his name to be thought, one last time, and the memories it dredged up were so excruciatingly painful she had to run to her bathroom so she could sink to the floor of the bathtub and cry. When she was able to control herself, she was relieved to find she hadn't been so weak as to wake up Inuyasha with her sniveling. She returned to the bed, watching her Paris' sleeping, tortured face.

 

She couldn't do this to him anymore. It was now or never. She had to choose - pine over Romeo forever, or try to be happy, or in the least, make Paris happy.

 

And then Inuyasha made her decision for her.

 

He had begun to wake when he felt her sit on the bed again, and now he gazed up at her with such loving, guarded eyes that she couldn't say no. She couldn't hurt him again, because that would make her as bad as Romeo. For him, she would try to be happy. For Paris, she would try to make him happy. She would make Inuyasha happy, if it was the only thing she could do with whatever pathetic excuse of a life she had left.

 

When he first opened his eyes, Inuyasha had been worried; Kagome looked so vulnerable, and her eyes were red. She had been crying again. He wondered what she was thinking, because clearly, she had calmed herself down. And now she was staring at him intently, which - to tell the truth - was kinda freaking him out. He sat up. And then, suddenly, her blue eyes became hard as ice, some sort of resolve steeled in them that made him gasp.

 

And then she was pressing her warm, desperate lips to his, and he had no idea how to respond. Was this really happening? Maybe he hadn't woken up, and this was just a really good dream? Well, if it was, he might as well be happy while he was sleeping.

 

Eagerly, he began to kiss her back, threading his fingers in her hair with one hand and the other on her lower back, pulling her closer. He was pleasantly surprised when she responded by making a little noise, and he growled appreciatively.

 

She froze, and he pulled away.

 

She looked torn, like she was suddenly wondering if she had made the right choice. Inuyasha moved the hand from her neck to her face, wiping away tears that weren't there. The sudden loss of her was killing him, and he was certain that if he woke up now, he may or may not try to kill himself. It would be unbearable now, to lose her again. Not after this…

 

And Kagome knew that. She could see it in his eyes; after such a searing kiss, he wouldn't be able to ever let her go again. And if she were honest with herself, she enjoyed it. Inuyasha's movements and taste and smell were so different from her previous lover's that she hadn't even thought of him. In fact, she was certain she had all but forgotten him.

 

But then the hanyou had growled, a low, feral sound in his arousal that had sounded so much like… him. How could she stand it when one of her favorite sounds in the world - one that instantly set her blood on fire - reminded her so deeply of what she had lost? Did that mean she would have to lose that as well?

 

“I'm sorry,” he said suddenly, startling her.

 

Apparently, that was the right thing to say. That hard resolve was back, although she looked angrier than she had before.

 

She placed her own hand on his face, and he closed his eyes at her touch. “Don't you ever apologize for that,” she said, iron in her voice.

 

His eyes snapped open, and he understood.

 

This time, he captured her lips, almost angrily. He was furious that his brother had made this so filled with grief for him, and he was upset with himself for not having the balls to do this earlier. And he took it out on her, trying desperately to learn her taste, the feel of her. Her hand went into his thick white hair, and pulled…

 

He had never felt so alive. He restrained from growling, but he couldn't help the groan that escaped. She seemed encouraged, and she climbed into his lap. Feeling so needy but not wanting to push her, he eased the assault on her lips. She responded just as eagerly, making the slower movements sensual. Encouraged, he ran his hands over her body, careful not to touch anything too sexually. But she seemed disinclined to agree to his assessment, and rubbed herself provocatively against his growing length. He gasped, encouraging her. She did it again.

 

And then - so quickly she didn't know what was going on - he pulled her off, trying desperately to get some air into his lungs. She looked so desponded that he nearly pulled her back onto himself. But he couldn't, and he kept her at arm's length - his hands on her shoulders, still twitching with excitement - until he could breathe properly.

 

“Kagome,” he breathed.

 

She reacted to her name, tilting her head slightly. He wanted to scowl at her - it reminded him of his brother - but couldn't bring himself to. Instead, he pulled her to him, but this time, in a loving embrace. How would he explain this to her? How could he tell her that he couldn't - wouldn't - do anything else until he was absolutely sure of her decision? How would he begin to tell her that he wanted to be married first, so that she wasn't dishonored the way she was with his brother?

 

He wouldn't wait, like before. Now, she was finished with her schooling and sure of her future. He wouldn't be holding her back anymore. But he wasn't going to condemn himself, either. Was this what she wanted, or was she using him to forget his brother? He had to know. So he would give her time - a little - to sort her feelings. If she still felt the same, he would ask her. And then he wouldn't blame himself if anything went awry later.

 

But in the meantime… what would he say to her?

 

She startled him out of his reverie once again. “It's okay, Inuyasha, I understand.” And in that moment, it was like she saw the great wound she had dealt him sew itself up. Not healed, but better than a wide open wound.

 

He tried hard not to smile, but failed. “Keh, you don't know nothin',” he said. When she frowned at him, he laughed.

 

And then, she thought that maybe she did understand. At first, she had thought it was because of her original rejection - was he getting her back? No, he wouldn't do that. And so the only other thing that made sense was that he was possibly sparing her feelings, or he didn't want to rush her. He apparently had no problem kissing her now - funny how losing someone can make you bolder - but he seemed reluctant to go further. So she would wait for him now. And she found the prospect exciting.

 

She smiled at him, and Inuyasha thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Because it seemed genuine. Perhaps she did understand. Maybe she saw right through him. But that was okay, because the more open they were, the better things seemed to get.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

For weeks, Inuyasha seemed to get bolder. He wouldn't initiate any of their intimate moments, letting Kagome come to him. And come to him, she did. At least twice a day, Kagome would pull him onto her bed or into the shadows on the Shrine grounds. He was enjoying himself immensely.

 

What he didn't know was that their friends on the other side of the well were becoming increasingly worried. He hadn't shown his face in quite some time, and they weren't sure what that meant. Was Kagome's world more dangerous than she let on? It was unthinkable that he who delivered the final blow to Naraku could succumb to anything in the future world. Or was it Kagome they needed to worry about? Perhaps she had gotten worse, and couldn't come back? They had been doing well, with Kagome visiting every week or two, still not coming near the village. But now she had been able to call her entire circle of friends to the well, even Rin.

 

But maybe her visits had done more harm than good, and she became worse? They couldn't possibly imagine her being worse than that first time they had seen her - emaciated, pale, and with dull eyes - but then again, Miroku was extremely worried about her, although he wouldn't explain.

 

“Miroku, do you think…” She couldn't finish the sentence, her near-birth hormones sending Sango over the edge.

 

“Ssh…” he soothed, rubbing circles on his wife's back. He couldn't tell her the truth, not now. In all honesty, he did fear that Kagome had passed on. Her powers had been so weak, and it had been over a month since Inuyasha had come. Perhaps he was stricken with grief…

 

“I don't know what I'd do…” Sango sobbed into her husband's robe.

 

He nodded. “I'm sure she's fine. Perhaps Inuyasha simply is enjoying his time for once,” the monk told her, but not believing it himself. The hanyou had a strong sense of duty, and even if he was finally living a normal life, he would come back just to make sure all was fine within the village.

 

“I hope you're right.”

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

Kagome giggled, the sound music to Inuyasha's furry ears. “Inuyasha,” she said breathily, “don't you think we should go back to the Feudal Era? Or at least you… you haven't been there in so lo-”

 

She was cut off by an enthusiastic kiss, giggling again at his boldness. Every day, she could feel him getting happier, and in turn, she felt better, happier. Not whole, but happier.

 

It wasn't how Romeo and Juliet went. But if she had to rewrite the story so Paris would be happy and Romeo only crossed her mind in her dreams, she would. Shakespeare be damned.

 

She pulled away from him reluctantly, laughing as he pouted. “Listen. I'm going out with the girls today. Why don't you go back? I bet they're worried.”

 

“Keh, they can deal with it,” he said, pulling her close again for another heated kiss.

 

He had decided. He was going to give her more time, but she was practically begging for it, and he hadn't been sure how much more he could take. He had woken up a few times with her touching him, and although it was a very nice way to enter the land of the living, he knew that if he didn't stop her advances, he was going to fail his plan. It had happened this morning, her hand attempting to weasel its' way down his hakama as she kissed his neck. It was more painful to wrench himself away from her than when she had left him. He had to leave the shrine to calm himself. And she was fine with that; she knew what she did to him, and it had almost become a game to her. It didn't hurt her feelings - although it had the first time he had had to leave - since he always came back.

 

Then later in the day with nothing to do, and the very few Shrine visitors being handled by her grandfather, her mother shopping - she had been relieved to get away from the house, now that Kagome wasn't running off to the store every five minutes - and Souta at school, she and Inuyasha were practically alone on the acres of land the Shrine was on. Kagome had suddenly grabbed Inuyasha by his wrist and, leading the confused hanyou, pinned him against the wall inside the well house.

 

That was when he knew that she was going to be all right. She was ready, and so was he. Er, perhaps he was a little more ready than he liked.

 

She had kissed him without abandon, her hands exploring him, learning the lines of his hard body. And with his new knowledge, he wanted to explore, too. But he still couldn't. Not until after… But she had no idea. His hands betrayed him, one shaking on her waist, the other shivering against her neck. She pressed against him pointedly, and he groaned deliciously. He still wouldn't growl, which she missed, but was grateful for.

 

In a bold move, she ground against him, temporarily paralyzing him. She grabbed his wrists and held them above his head, her tiny fingers trying to hold them both in one hand. He allowed her to do this, although he knew that she was nothing compared to his strength. He grinned darkly at her, a fang popping out over his lip. A thrill ran up her spine, and she kissed him hungrily in the darkness of the well house. He only stopped her when he realized that her free hand was attempting to work its' way into his hakama once again. With a sigh, he broke her grip and seized her hands. She pouted, and he laughed.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

She had been gone for a few hours when he finally decided that maybe he should go see their friends. After all, he was becoming lazy just laying around the shrine with Kagome. He knew she would be fine - everyone did. Her mother had pulled him aside and hugged him, grateful for her daughter's little weight gain and uplifted mood. She also offered him a sly smile, to which he blushed furiously. Obviously, she knew more than they wanted her to know. Funny, he never felt her presence…

 

So now he rushed to the well, knowing that he probably had only an hour before Kagome was going to be home, and he was excited to see her after they had been separated for a few hours. In the past months, they had hardly been apart for any conscious amount of time - only when she was sleeping. Leaving his heart in the future, Inuyasha jumped into the past.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

“Kagome, you look sooooo much better!” Ayumi squealed, delighted to have her friend back after so long.

 

Kagome was peeved; didn't they have the decency to not bring it up? Maybe this hadn't been a good idea…

 

“Well, I'm happy for you,” Eri chimed always the perceptive one.

 

“Do we have time to eat before the movie?” Yuka asked the others.

 

Kagome looked at her cell phone. “No, we should hurry. As it is, we're late from waiting for Ayumi,” she said, smirking.

 

“It's not my fault I had company,” their friend defended, sounding haughtier than she was allowed.

 

“Oooh…” was the consensus from the other three girls.

 

Kagome was the one to become snarky. When had she become the sarcastic one? “I hardly call Hojo company,” she said, looking away.

 

The other two giggled, scandalized.

 

“Just because he wasn't good enough for you, Kagome, doesn't mean he's not good,” Ayumi shot back.

 

Kagome grinned, enjoying the challenge. It was nice, not being the one everyone was centered on for once. “He's boring,” Kagome droned, making her voice as dull and sympathetic as possible.

 

“I'm sorry they can't all be two-timing bad boys or their brothers,” Ayumi said harshly, clearly annoyed now.

 

Kagome couldn't believe it still could hurt so much, after all this time. Yuka and Eri crowded around her as soon as they saw her face fall.

 

“That wasn't nice,” Eri frowned, hugging her friend.

 

“That was uncalled for,” Yuka agreed.

 

It was three against one, and she wasn't going to win. Besides, she knew Kagome was right; Hojo was kinda boring. She apologized, and the three made their way to the movie.

 

Kagome had had some practice in pushing away the things that hurt her, so she was grateful that twenty minutes into the movie, a romantic comedy, she had forgotten her friend's hurtful statement.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

Inuyasha ran into the village, wondering why there were so many people still milling around when it was dinner time. He stopped at Kaede's home first, since she was the closest, but the hut was empty. Frowning, he set out for his comrade's home. He noticed it got busier as he neared the monk and taijiya's house. Running once again, he listened to the voices. They were agitated and excited. People were scurrying around, and he was shoved by some - followed by apologies when they realized who it was - as he made his way to the entrance.

 

He found Miroku at the door.

 

“What's going on?” he asked harshly.

 

Miroku offered him a smile. “Welcome back, Inuyasha. We've been worried. You have excellent timing…”

 

Just then, the hanyou heard the keening wail come from inside, and tried to bolt into the home. The monk stopped him with an arm in front of the door, and Inuyasha considered taking it off.

 

“Hold on there, brother,” Miroku said gently.

 

Inuyasha pinned him with a glare, impatient.

 

“She's going to give birth,” Miroku explained.

 

His eyes widening with every second, Inuyasha understood. Then he became excited, a goofy grin spreading across his face. “Really? Oh, man! That's great!” He turned, as if to get Kagome's opinion. Then he frowned, remembering. “Kagome's gonna wanna be here,” he said mostly to himself.

 

“She didn't come?” Miroku asked mildly, trying to keep the interest from his voice.

 

“Naw, she's with some friends,” the hanyou explained, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

 

Now Miroku smiled genuinely. Everything was going to be fine. “That's wonderful, Inuyasha. How has she been?”

 

What could he say? That she seemed normal? That she had become this passionate, needy animal? That she made him feel like he was both dreaming and in heaven at the same time? That he loved her, and was finally going to ask for her hand?

 

His expression and deep blush was all the answer the monk needed. He smirked at his friend, patting him on the back. “Congratulations. I was worried for a while there, about both of you…”

 

“Congrats for what?” Inuyasha cried, defensive now. Had he really given so much away with his expression?

 

Miroku leered at him, and the half-demon blushed an impossible shade of red.

 

Unable to take the pressure anymore, it came out all at once. “Okay, so we've been kissing and I wanna ask her to marry me.”

 

Miroku struggled to keep up and separate the words, but once he did, he drew Inuyasha in for a hug. “Excellent, brother!” he called loudly.

 

On a break from her contractions, Sango called to him. “Who are you talking to, houshi?”

 

“Inuyasha! He's finally come. Bearing good news, at that.”

 

Kaede and Rin emerged from the home, both looking a little haggard. Impossibly, Kohaku also returned from an errand at the same time.

 

“Okay, what's the news?” Rin asked.

 

Inuyasha blushed again. Miroku laughed. “He and Kagome are together finally. He will ask for her hand,” Miroku explained loud enough for his wife to hear.

 

Miroku, Kaede, and Sango spoke excitedly while Inuyasha looked away, wishing they would quit. Only Rin remained silent, exchanging a glance with Kohaku, her confidant.

 

After a few moments, they quieted down. Kaede returned to Sango's side just before another contraction hit. Once the wailing started again, Rin ran inside and the men were left feeling helpless outside. Miroku ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Kohaku switched his weight from foot to foot constantly. Inuyasha winced from the sounds of Sango's pain.

 

“It's getting close,” he heard Kaede say.

 

“I'll get the water,” Rin said dutifully.

 

Then Inuyasha snapped into action. Quickly, he turned to leave.

 

“Inuyasha, where are you going?” Miroku asked.

 

“To get Kagome,” he replied without turning back. And then he was just a blur of red and white.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

Kagome had just sat down on her bed, wondering if Inuyasha had taken her up on her idea. She took off her sweater now that she was inside the warm house. She thought about putting on a pair of her skimpiest pajamas when suddenly Inuyasha was at her window. She saw the panic in his eyes. Her heart stuttered as she thought of all the things that could have gone wrong…

 

Was there an attack? Did anyone get hurt? Did anyone die? Maybe it wasn't that at all. Did he come across Sessh - him? Did they fight? He didn't look hurt.

 

Inuyasha read the frenzy in her eyes and instantly reached for her. It was cool outside, so he closed the window behind him first. She didn't ask, but he smiled at her. It confused her, making her frown.

 

“It's okay, Kagome,” he said.

 

Funny how those words soothed her, even though she still had no idea what was going on. She gazed into his eyes, azure into amber, and he leaned down to take her lips in a gentle kiss. She melted into his embrace, comforted. She was panting slightly when he pulled away, and he was glad he could do this for her.

 

When she looked at him questioningly, he smiled.

 

“It's time,” he said.

 

She frowned deeper.

 

He chuckled, a warm sound that made her feel lighthearted. “Sango.”

 

It took a minute, but he could almost hear the wheels click in her head as she figured it out. Her expression became half-frenzied, half-excited.

 

“Oh my god! We have to go!” She ran for the window, but Inuyasha held her back, laughing.

 

“We don't have to go though there, ya know,” he announced.

 

She thought about it for a second and nodded, smiling. “You're right.”

 

She yanked him by his wrist, and they practically flew down the stairs. Kagome's mother rose an eyebrow at them, knowing she had not seen Inuyasha come in the house and also knowing he was usually back in his own time by now. She wondered if this was an ongoing thing.

 

“Mama, Sango's having her baby!” she cried, excited and wanting to be on their way.

 

Understanding, her mother grinned. “Oh! No wonder! That's wonderful, honey. Stay as long as you need.”

 

Kagome kissed her mother on the cheek swiftly and began to leave. Inuyasha was on her heels, but he felt a glare boring into him. When he turned, he found Kagome's mother giving him a pointed look. His eyes widened slightly before he turned to follow Kagome.

 

She was trying to run, but even so, she just couldn't go fast enough. So a few yards from the house, Inuyasha scooped Kagome into his arms - a position in which he hardly ever carried her - and fled to the well house.

 

~~~~~%~~@

 

It had gone surprisingly well. There wasn't much time for a reunion, and in her panic and excitement, Kagome forgot her fear of the village. Sango had labored like a champion, never complaining. The newborn boy that was presented to Miroku was large, and he felt guilty that Sango had endured so much.

 

The mother was resting quietly, her attendees - Rin, Kaede, and Kagome - cleaning up. The young boy had already eaten, and his father was rocking him as he slept. A freshly clothed Sango sighed in her sleep, and Kagome fought a smile. She had been horrified to see the process, but was intensely glad it had went well, mother and son healthy and happy. All these months, Sango had been telling Kagome pregnancy stories about how drastically it had changed her body, attitude, and the way she thought. Pregnancy left no stone unturned, and it frightened the girl who tried desperately to remember that not long ago, she had unprotected sex with a demon, risking hanyou children he was sure to hate.

 

Saddened by the thought, she left the stuffy hut to see how the men were doing.

 

She was awed by the look on Inuyasha's face - he looked so peaceful, like he wished he was the father. Suddenly, Kagome wondered if he wanted children, and if he could have them. Was there such a thing as a quarter-demon? Three years in the Sengoku Jidai told her no, that hanyou usually never found mates. She was deeply saddened, and then surprised by her own reaction. It must be al the emotions - the atmosphere was getting to her.

 

She walked to the hanyou's side to get a better look at the strong son of her friends, and Inuyasha put an arm around her waist, pulling her close. She almost shied away, being in the presence of their friends and village, but no one seemed to notice; all eyes were on the newest villager. So she cuddled up to him, her body molding to his.

 

“Have you thought of a name?” she asked.

 

“Not yet,” Miroku replied soothingly, not taking his eyes off the infant.

 

Kagome was awed yet again. She had never seen the monk like this. He had always been the calmest of their group by a long shot - she assumed meditation had a lot to do with that, and maybe she should give it a try? - but he was so serene, as if he were happy to spend the rest of his life in that spot, never moving and never taking his eyes from his son. Suddenly, the emotional climate was a little too much for her, and she pulled away from Inuyasha, walking towards the bridge.

 

Puzzled, he followed her.

 

When she finally stopped on the other side of the river, she didn't turn to him, she simply gazed up at the stars she could hardly see in her own Era.

 

“Kagome?” the hanyou asked cautiously, reaching for her arm.

 

She turned, as if startled, and he carefully watched her face. There was a sadness to her expression, but it didn't seem like it was coming from her pain. It was something else…

 

“Is everything okay? You tired? You wanna go home?”

 

She smiled weakly, seeing how protective he was. “No, it's okay, Inuyasha. I'm just a little worn out. And I've got some stuff on my mind.”

 

He gave her a look that clearly stated she could talk to him about whatever she was thinking about, but she seemed disinclined to elaborate. So when she turned her face back to the stars, he came up behind her and wound his arms around her waist. They stayed like that for some time.

 

After a while, however, Inuyasha tensed. Kagome felt it and turned to look at him. He was frowning, looking into the trees in the forest that was a few hundred yards away. She reached a hand up to touch his face.

 

“Is everything okay?” she asked. Despite her long absence, she still held the jewel on a necklace around her neck.

 

“Everything's fine,” he said tersely, as if speaking to the forest.

 

Then he looked down at her, into the stormy grey the moonlight turned her eyes. He was the one that seemed resolved in that moment.

 

He kissed her passionately, leaving them both panting until they needed air so badly they had to separate. But they didn't want to be far from each other, so her hands still rested on his shoulder and back, and his hands were still tangled in her hair with another touching the bare skin of her waist under her sweater.

 

Kagome giggled. “Wow, what was that for?”

 

He didn't smile, just stared into her eyes. He seemed to have something on his chest he needed to get off, so Kagome became serious, worried now.

 

He removed the hand in her hair and touched her face lovingly. “Kagome, I'm so sorry,” he began, but regretted those first words when she began to panic. He could hear her heart jumping wildly in her chest and her wide-eyed expression made him want to smack his head against a tree. “Kagome, I'm sorry I wasted so much time.” She was confused now, her heart slowing. “I shouldn't have doubted your love. But… I need you to know. It wasn't just that. I was also waiting for you to finish school. I didn't want to hold you back…”

 

He looked so tortured that she pulled him to her, and he buried his face in her hair. “It's okay, Inuyasha. It's not your fault. You never stopped loving me.”

 

He winced when he heard her unspoken words. … I was the one that stopped loving you.

 

No. He would push that aside. Now was what mattered. And she was happy now. Happy enough to be in the village. Happy enough to see everyone. And he would try to make her happy for the rest of his life.

 

“Kagome, it's my fault we're not up to them,” he said, swinging his head towards Miroku. She looked at him, confused. “Miroku said to me a while ago, `I figured you and Kagome would have beat us to a wedding.' And now, I don't know why I waited. It seemed right at the time…”

 

Kagome's eyes widened as she realized what he was trying to say. Her breathing picked up and her heart began to race, not unnoticed.

 

“All I know is that I love you. Do you love me enough to marry me?” he asked, his voice and eyes vulnerable.

 

A tear escaped her as she stared at him, her expression either horrified or enlightened - he wasn't sure. He needed to make sure. He bent to kiss her, a light, loving kiss. Then he broke away to ask her again.

 

“Kagome,” he said, “will you be my wife?”

 

------END CHAPTER---------

 

Haha, yes, I know, I'm evil. You know, some of you are VERY perceptive. Many of you have guessed things that are coming up. And some of you *glares at Cali* have persuaded me into giving away spoilers, or lead-ins. Where am I going to get more surprises, you guys?! Don't worry, I still have a few more twists in place.

I also wanted to answer a few questions many of you have been asking: “Is that Sesshoumaru in Kagome's time?” YES. And no, he didn't travel through the well - he's just been living his immortal years out and now happens to live during the same time Kagome does. “Why is he talking to Kagome's mom?” To not spoil too much, I'm just going to say he had previously warned Mama that Kagome was going to fall in love with someone other than Inuyasha - which she figured out was him - and that she would be so devastated she was dangerous to herself. Of course, he knew this because in the past, Inuyasha came back to tell him so. “Is this switching to Inu/Kag?” Without spoiling the future plot, I can only say `yes'. If you're unhappy, I'm sorry. But That's the Way Love Goes. *grin*

I also wanted to tell you guys that at my deviantART page, I asked my TWLG readers if they are going to mind an InuKag lemon, or if they would rather I skip over it. So far, the vote is FOR the lemon, so for now, I'm planning on writing it in. I only ask because I know that so many of us are LOYAL SessKag fans, and aren't thrilled with me in the first place for letting her get back with Inuyasha. All part of my plan, my little wallabies. So if you'd like, you can concern your interest or non-interest for the InuKag lemon in your review. Until next time!