InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Well ❯ Umm... Kagome? ( Chapter 2 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
Disclaimer in chp.1
Author's Notes: Just a few since this is the closing chapter for this fic. I've included spoilers for the movie in this because many readers said they hadn't watched it and couldn't or didn't plan to, but were curious about what happened. So gomen to those who've seen the film, I was watching it as I wrote this - which made me take forever, but I think it was worth it.
Thanks for reading so far, I really apreciate all the reviews I got for this story and please don't forget to let me know what you thought of this installment. Arigato gozaimasu!
" ____ " Speaking
[ ____ ] Thoughts
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
Inuyasha burst through the forest and unsheathed Tetsusaiga, growling at his brother standing beside an unconscious Kagome. A human girl kneeled beside him, leaning weakly against his legs. To his surprise, the smell of sickness was coming from her and he scrunched his nose a bit, confused by her closeness to his brother.
"What'd you do to Kagome you bastard?"
Sesshomaru stared at his brother coldly, "You're calling ME a bastard?"
"Shut up," Inuyasha grunted.
"YOU brought it up," Sesshomaru reminded him before changing the subject, "Your wench isn't hurt, she came into the clearing, gave that terrified screech and fainted dead away for no reason."
"Kagome's not the type to faint without a reason," Inuyasha sheathed his sword, freeing his hands to hold her, shaking her shoulders gently trying to wake her. "Kagome..."
"Hmm?" The girl moaned a little bit at a pain in her back and wondered why she was lying down. [Wasn't I running to the well?... oh my god... the well!]
With a gasp, she sat up and turned to see the well, another scream escaping her at the sight beside her. "NOOO!"
"KAGOME!"
Inuyasha turned her away and crushed her to him, glaring at his equally annoyed brother who was lifting the sick child into his arms, his hands rubbing Kagome's back soothingly, hoping to stop her body's shaking. "Kagome its ok, I've got you."
"I thought she wasn't real, Sadako was just part of the movie," Kagome whispered, clinging to him tightly.
"Who is this Sadako?" Sesshomaru asked, "And why do you say she is here? The only ones here are you, the baka, Rin and myself wench."
Inuyasha growled at his brother but continued holding Kagome, both listening as Sesshomaru continued. "We came because Rin is sick, I left her here to rest and was going to bring you to help her when you screamed and I came back to find you unconscious and Rin wobbling over to your side."
"Rin?" Kagome whispered, taking a deep breath and turning to see him holding the little girl she'd met before. Unlike previously though, today she wore a white robe and had her long hair hung loose and dirty, her skin extremely pale due to her illness.
"What's the matter with her?" she stood and touched the girl's forehead, "She's got a slight fever and her breathing is raspy..."
Frowning for a moment, Kagome turned to her backpack and pulled out some antibiotics. "Give her half of one of these pills every six hours for the next four days, it looks like she caught some type of bug and this should do away with it."
Sesshomaru said nothing, merely took the bottle in his fake hand and nodded his thanks before flying away with the girl. Once he'd gone, Kagome turned to smile at Inuyasha and received a glare. "What'd I do?"
"Forget it," Inuyasha bit his tongue to keep from yelling at her.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Kagome left her bag and ran after him as he walked back into the forest. "Inuyasha you said you'd take me home remember?"
"Feh, go home by yourself woman!"
"What?!" Kagome stared at him disbelievingly, "You agreed to take me home!"
He shrugged and continued walking, angry that she'd scared him so bad over something as trivial as a little girl by the well. [I don't care if she is scared! That little girl died IN the well, not outside of it and she shouldn't have freaked out like that!]
"But you promised," Kagome's disappointment ringing clearly in her voice. A pang of despair was etched into it as he continued walking away, "Inuyasha!"
Ignoring her, he was set on making her go home alone until a familiar sound reached his ears. Turning, he was surprised to see Kagome had gone back towards the well. He found her sitting against a tree, arms hugging her legs tightly to her chest with her head resting between them. She gave another sniffle and lifted her head, wiping her eyes with a pout as she glared at him.
"You were just scaring me weren't you?"
He shook his head, "No."
"Inuyasha," Kagome looked away from him and curled up tighter into herself, "I guess I'm never getting home?"
Inuyasha gave an annoyed sigh, "What made you freak out so badly?"
"Rin, she looked just like Sadako, with her hair hanging in her face, her shaky body moving towards me from the well." A shudder ran through Kagome's body at the image in her mind.
"Who's this Sadako?"
"The girl in the movie I told you about," Kagome sighed and frowned at the well, once again seeing it old and round, made of stone. "I need to go home, I need to get more supplies, we're almost out of ramen."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Inuyasha jumped up at that information. "Come on wench, we haven't got all day."
"I'm not going in that Inuyasha," Kagome's lip trembled, "I'm scared."
To her surprise, instead of giving his usual 'Feh' or some rude answer, Inuyasha hunched down before her and held her hands in his. "Kagome, I'll be right here with you, you know I'd never let anything hurt you. I'll help you walk over to the well and jump inside, but you've got to do it yourself. I'm not carrying you this time."
Pulling her up to her feet, Inuyasha took her bag from her and settled it over his shoulder, giving her some time to collect her thoughts. "Ready?"
"No," Kagome looked past him at the well and shook her head.
"Too bad," Inuyasha carefully pulled her forward a bit to stand beside him facing the well. Settling his hand on her lower back, he gently nudged her forward, keeping close while she took her first baby step. "Its ok Kagome. There's nothing there to be afraid of."
"I guess," Kagome stepped closer little by little, still imagining herself walking towards the round, stone well.
The closer they got, the closer Kagome moved to Inuyasha, scooting over little by little until she found herself standing at the side of the well with his arm completely around her waist. Feeling him give her side a slight squeeze, she took a deep breath and lifted one leg onto the edge, followed by the other. Knowing they both couldn't stand there, she closed her eyes and pulled him with her as she jumped.
They passed through quickly enough and soon were standing at the bottom of the other side, facing up at the well house ceiling. A face suddenly appeared at the top, facing down towards them, causing Kagome to scream and turn to hide in Inuyasha's arms.
[Damnit and you were doing so well!] Inuyasha held her tight and yelled up at the laughing boy above them. "That's not funny Souta! You scared the shit out of your sister!"
"So I guess you watched the movie? How was it? Was it really THAT scary?" The excited little boy smiled at the hanyou as he jumped up out and stood beside him. "Huh? How was it?"
"Too scary for you kid," Inuyasha hurried outside and over to the bench by the God tree. "Hey, we made it Kagome! You're home!"
"Stupid Souta!" Kagome glared at her little brother and shook her finger at him. "Don't think you won't pay for scaring me like that! I'm gonna tell mom to let you see the movie, see how high YOU jump when you walk by the t.v!"
"Aw, it can't be THAT bad! You're just a wuss!" The kid paled at the angry look given to him by the hanyou holding his sister and took a cautious step back. "Heh, well, I have some chores to finish so if you'll excuse me..."
"Hurry inside!" Inuyasha smirked, imagining the poor little boy hiding under his covers. Looking down at the girl in his lap, he suddenly realized their position and sheepishly slid her over onto the seat. [We've been really close lately, and she hasn't seemed to mind.]
Wondering what that could mean, he was brought out of his reverie by a hand waving in front of his face. "Coming Inuyasha?"
"Mm? Oh, hai," with a blush, he lifted her bag from the ground where he'd dropped it and followed her inside, watching her curiously as she closed the doors to the living room where the tv was located. "What does a t.v. have to do with the girl who died in a well?"
Kagome visibly shuddered and took a steadying breath, "You don't want to know."
"Yes I do," curiosity over the movie that had frightened her so badly suddenly setting into him. "Do you still have the movie?"
"Hai, I borrowed it from one of mom's friends," Souta answered for her, coming down the stairs from his room. "We could watch it now, Mom and grandpa went shopping and said they'd be home later, which leaves us with at least two hours to watch the movie."
"I don't think so, you'll have major nightmares at night Souta," Kagome took her bag and set it on the kitchen table. "And I'll be worse off next time we have to go through the well."
Souta pouted and slumped his shoulders, "I want to see it though!"
"Me too!" Inuyasha faced her and crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm sure it can't be that scary Kagome!"
"Inuyasha! You're supposed to be on MY side!" Kagome stomped her foot and crossed her own arms. "I am NOT watching that movie again!"
"Come on Kagome, watch it with us," Inuyasha turned and nodded at Souta, watching him cheer and run into the living room, setting up the mood by closing the curtains and flipping on the vcr and tv.
"I don't want to Inuyasha," Kagome gulped and stood her ground while he came to her side. To her surprise, he suddenly dipped before her, grabbing her legs and tossing her over his shoulder easily. "Eeek! Put me down!" Pounding on his back, she felt a rush of blood to her head and stopped, opting instead to clutch the back of his haori and fight down the nausea that overwhelmed her.
When Inuyasha dropped her onto the sofa, she sat in a daze for a moment, catching her breath while he took a seat next to her. "Go ahead kid."
Giving one final glare, Kagome crossed her arms and settled in, grateful that she'd already seen it so she could close her eyes in the truly frightening parts. Looking up at Inuyasha beside her, she smiled as she realized he'd sat on the sofa to keep her from getting too scared. [He would have normally sat on the floor with Souta]
Fidgeting with the edge of her skirt while the girls on the screen chatted away happily, Kagome involuntarily jumped along with them at the sound of the phone. After they'd gone downstairs and answered, she felt herself tense in anticipation of the television's noise as it turned on by itself. Beside her, Inuyasha cursed softly and tensed also, casting a confused look at Kagome before focusing again on the girl serving herself a drink.
A soft crackling noise began and Souta turned up the volume to hear better, watching the girl Tomoko slowly look over her shoulder as the noise increased before turning and freezing with a startling gasp. Her image froze in black and white on the screen for a second before the movie moved on to the interview of a young school girl.
"What the fuck?" Inuyasha felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and wondered if maybe Kagome had been right to say it was too frightening. Without thinking of his actions, he slid his hand into hers and held it tightly to soothe her and his own nerves.
As the movie progressed, they moved closer and closer, Kagome slowly sliding towards him, his hand releasing hers to wrap around her shoulder after she jumped at the sight of Tomoko's terrified body in the closet. Reaching the scene where Reiko found the movie and began to watch it, Kagome moved closer, her side pressing against Inuyasha's completely. After it was done, Reiko clicked off the television and her eyes widened for some reason. Neither Inuyasha nor Souta picked up on it and were therefore scared out of their wits as Kagome screamed.
"What the hell's a matter with you?!" Inuyasha shouted, struggling to calm his heart's erratic beats.
"Go back!" Kagome leaned forward to grab the control from Souta's hand and rewind the tape a bit, pausing it so they could see. "Look at that, behind her on the tv!"
"Kami-sama, its the girl in the movie!" Souta jumped onto the sofa beside Kagome and curled up into her arms.
Starting the film again, they gradually fitted themselves together in a way that all three of them felt comfortably safe. Sitting on Kagome's lap with his knees tucked beneath his chin and one of her arms wrapped around his stomach sat Souta, with the blanket they normally draped over the sofa covering him up to his chin. Kagome had slipped onto Inuyasha's lap, one arm holding her brother and the other holding tight to his haori. With his arms crossed and draped over her shoulders, she felt his warmth seep into her and felt his strength soothe her fear away a bit, despite the fact that he too was being scared witless.
During the scene in which Shizuko's ESP presentation was explained, Kagome trembled slightly when Sadako grabbed Reiko's hand, calming moments later as she was pulled back and one of Inuyasha's hands move down to soothe her wrist as if she had been marked. The soft touch gave off a remarkably re-assuring feeling and Kagome was soon slightly more relaxed again.
Later on, as Ryouji hung inside the well and saw Sadako's fingernails on the walls, Kagome turned her head towards Inuyasha, knowing the worst was soon to come. She was surprised to feel him move one hand up to stroke through her hair, his other arm tightening around her stomach a bit. After hearing Reiko and Ryouji leave Izu, Kagome shifted a bit, making Souta sit beside Inuyasha so she could pull her legs up and turn to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder.
"Feh, its over woman," Inuyasha's and Souta's eyes met for a moment, believing her behavior rather foolish now that Sadako had been saved from the well. Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha rested his hands awkwardly around her waist, since he was now not as focused on the movie and finally noticing the intimate hold he'd had on her over the past hour and a half.
A familiar metallic sound brought their focus back on the screen, watching Ryouji turn from his notes to where his tv had turned on by itself. Over the course of the next two and a half minutes, both Souta and Inuyasha got the scare of their lives, barely managing to remain focused on the rest of the movie as the image of the little girl crawling on the ground repeated in their minds.
Kagome, being unable to just sit without watching, had eventually turned to see the shocking scene also and lay trembling in Inuyasha's arms. Turning off the tv, the trio stared in shock at the sight of a white-clad figure on the black screen standing behind them in the doorway. The phone's sudden ringing bringing a chorus of screams from them, making them jump and fall in a heap on the ground.
"HEY!"
The familiar voice brought them out of their terror and calmed them even as she scolded. "What has gotten into all of you? Didn't you hear grandpa and I enter?" Mrs. Higurashi shook her head and frowned at them while lifting the receiver, shushing their pleas to not answer and smiling at the voice at the other end of the line.
"Mayumi! I'm so glad you called! I meant to call you yesterday!" Walking away from the strange group in her living room, she took the cordless up to her room in hopes of getting some peace.
"Kami-sama," Souta shuddered and jumped back up. "I'm never going near a tv again!"
"Me either," Inuyasha agreed, leaning his back against the sofa and allowing Kagome to crawl over and wrap her arms around his waist for both her peace of mind and his. "I KNEW those things were evil! I just knew it!"
Kagome couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips at the conviction in his voice. "What's so funny, wench?"
"Nothing," she sobered quickly enough, resting her cheek against his chest. He held her loosely for a moment, wondering what to do next when Kagome's grandpa appeared in the doorway. "Hello Kagome, Souta, how was your day?"
They answered at the same time, "Fine."
"Good, good," he nodded and frowned at the half-demon holding his granddaughter so comfortably, clearing his throat pointedly. "Its getting late Inuyasha, I'm sure you've noticed the sun is setting?"
"Hai," the hanyou gave a curt nod and watched the old man walk away on the reflection of the tv screen.
Glaring at his sister for being right about the movie, Souta quickly followed his grandpa, suddenly very interested in learning about magic and spells, and most importantly, protection wards.
Chuckling softly at the boy interrogating his grandfather, Inuyasha sighed and was about to lift Kagome from his chest where she lay slightly dozing when a thought struck him. [Its late, getting dark, and...]
"Kagome?"
"Hmm?" Her sleepy eyes blinked up at him, frowning slightly as they met his golden orbs. "What is it Inuyasha?"
Biting his lip and hesitating for a second, he finally had to force himself to swallow down his pride and ask the one question he'd never thought he'd ask.
"Do I... umm... have to go back?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
Author's Notes: Just a few since this is the closing chapter for this fic. I've included spoilers for the movie in this because many readers said they hadn't watched it and couldn't or didn't plan to, but were curious about what happened. So gomen to those who've seen the film, I was watching it as I wrote this - which made me take forever, but I think it was worth it.
Thanks for reading so far, I really apreciate all the reviews I got for this story and please don't forget to let me know what you thought of this installment. Arigato gozaimasu!
" ____ " Speaking
[ ____ ] Thoughts
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
Inuyasha burst through the forest and unsheathed Tetsusaiga, growling at his brother standing beside an unconscious Kagome. A human girl kneeled beside him, leaning weakly against his legs. To his surprise, the smell of sickness was coming from her and he scrunched his nose a bit, confused by her closeness to his brother.
"What'd you do to Kagome you bastard?"
Sesshomaru stared at his brother coldly, "You're calling ME a bastard?"
"Shut up," Inuyasha grunted.
"YOU brought it up," Sesshomaru reminded him before changing the subject, "Your wench isn't hurt, she came into the clearing, gave that terrified screech and fainted dead away for no reason."
"Kagome's not the type to faint without a reason," Inuyasha sheathed his sword, freeing his hands to hold her, shaking her shoulders gently trying to wake her. "Kagome..."
"Hmm?" The girl moaned a little bit at a pain in her back and wondered why she was lying down. [Wasn't I running to the well?... oh my god... the well!]
With a gasp, she sat up and turned to see the well, another scream escaping her at the sight beside her. "NOOO!"
"KAGOME!"
Inuyasha turned her away and crushed her to him, glaring at his equally annoyed brother who was lifting the sick child into his arms, his hands rubbing Kagome's back soothingly, hoping to stop her body's shaking. "Kagome its ok, I've got you."
"I thought she wasn't real, Sadako was just part of the movie," Kagome whispered, clinging to him tightly.
"Who is this Sadako?" Sesshomaru asked, "And why do you say she is here? The only ones here are you, the baka, Rin and myself wench."
Inuyasha growled at his brother but continued holding Kagome, both listening as Sesshomaru continued. "We came because Rin is sick, I left her here to rest and was going to bring you to help her when you screamed and I came back to find you unconscious and Rin wobbling over to your side."
"Rin?" Kagome whispered, taking a deep breath and turning to see him holding the little girl she'd met before. Unlike previously though, today she wore a white robe and had her long hair hung loose and dirty, her skin extremely pale due to her illness.
"What's the matter with her?" she stood and touched the girl's forehead, "She's got a slight fever and her breathing is raspy..."
Frowning for a moment, Kagome turned to her backpack and pulled out some antibiotics. "Give her half of one of these pills every six hours for the next four days, it looks like she caught some type of bug and this should do away with it."
Sesshomaru said nothing, merely took the bottle in his fake hand and nodded his thanks before flying away with the girl. Once he'd gone, Kagome turned to smile at Inuyasha and received a glare. "What'd I do?"
"Forget it," Inuyasha bit his tongue to keep from yelling at her.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Kagome left her bag and ran after him as he walked back into the forest. "Inuyasha you said you'd take me home remember?"
"Feh, go home by yourself woman!"
"What?!" Kagome stared at him disbelievingly, "You agreed to take me home!"
He shrugged and continued walking, angry that she'd scared him so bad over something as trivial as a little girl by the well. [I don't care if she is scared! That little girl died IN the well, not outside of it and she shouldn't have freaked out like that!]
"But you promised," Kagome's disappointment ringing clearly in her voice. A pang of despair was etched into it as he continued walking away, "Inuyasha!"
Ignoring her, he was set on making her go home alone until a familiar sound reached his ears. Turning, he was surprised to see Kagome had gone back towards the well. He found her sitting against a tree, arms hugging her legs tightly to her chest with her head resting between them. She gave another sniffle and lifted her head, wiping her eyes with a pout as she glared at him.
"You were just scaring me weren't you?"
He shook his head, "No."
"Inuyasha," Kagome looked away from him and curled up tighter into herself, "I guess I'm never getting home?"
Inuyasha gave an annoyed sigh, "What made you freak out so badly?"
"Rin, she looked just like Sadako, with her hair hanging in her face, her shaky body moving towards me from the well." A shudder ran through Kagome's body at the image in her mind.
"Who's this Sadako?"
"The girl in the movie I told you about," Kagome sighed and frowned at the well, once again seeing it old and round, made of stone. "I need to go home, I need to get more supplies, we're almost out of ramen."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Inuyasha jumped up at that information. "Come on wench, we haven't got all day."
"I'm not going in that Inuyasha," Kagome's lip trembled, "I'm scared."
To her surprise, instead of giving his usual 'Feh' or some rude answer, Inuyasha hunched down before her and held her hands in his. "Kagome, I'll be right here with you, you know I'd never let anything hurt you. I'll help you walk over to the well and jump inside, but you've got to do it yourself. I'm not carrying you this time."
Pulling her up to her feet, Inuyasha took her bag from her and settled it over his shoulder, giving her some time to collect her thoughts. "Ready?"
"No," Kagome looked past him at the well and shook her head.
"Too bad," Inuyasha carefully pulled her forward a bit to stand beside him facing the well. Settling his hand on her lower back, he gently nudged her forward, keeping close while she took her first baby step. "Its ok Kagome. There's nothing there to be afraid of."
"I guess," Kagome stepped closer little by little, still imagining herself walking towards the round, stone well.
The closer they got, the closer Kagome moved to Inuyasha, scooting over little by little until she found herself standing at the side of the well with his arm completely around her waist. Feeling him give her side a slight squeeze, she took a deep breath and lifted one leg onto the edge, followed by the other. Knowing they both couldn't stand there, she closed her eyes and pulled him with her as she jumped.
They passed through quickly enough and soon were standing at the bottom of the other side, facing up at the well house ceiling. A face suddenly appeared at the top, facing down towards them, causing Kagome to scream and turn to hide in Inuyasha's arms.
[Damnit and you were doing so well!] Inuyasha held her tight and yelled up at the laughing boy above them. "That's not funny Souta! You scared the shit out of your sister!"
"So I guess you watched the movie? How was it? Was it really THAT scary?" The excited little boy smiled at the hanyou as he jumped up out and stood beside him. "Huh? How was it?"
"Too scary for you kid," Inuyasha hurried outside and over to the bench by the God tree. "Hey, we made it Kagome! You're home!"
"Stupid Souta!" Kagome glared at her little brother and shook her finger at him. "Don't think you won't pay for scaring me like that! I'm gonna tell mom to let you see the movie, see how high YOU jump when you walk by the t.v!"
"Aw, it can't be THAT bad! You're just a wuss!" The kid paled at the angry look given to him by the hanyou holding his sister and took a cautious step back. "Heh, well, I have some chores to finish so if you'll excuse me..."
"Hurry inside!" Inuyasha smirked, imagining the poor little boy hiding under his covers. Looking down at the girl in his lap, he suddenly realized their position and sheepishly slid her over onto the seat. [We've been really close lately, and she hasn't seemed to mind.]
Wondering what that could mean, he was brought out of his reverie by a hand waving in front of his face. "Coming Inuyasha?"
"Mm? Oh, hai," with a blush, he lifted her bag from the ground where he'd dropped it and followed her inside, watching her curiously as she closed the doors to the living room where the tv was located. "What does a t.v. have to do with the girl who died in a well?"
Kagome visibly shuddered and took a steadying breath, "You don't want to know."
"Yes I do," curiosity over the movie that had frightened her so badly suddenly setting into him. "Do you still have the movie?"
"Hai, I borrowed it from one of mom's friends," Souta answered for her, coming down the stairs from his room. "We could watch it now, Mom and grandpa went shopping and said they'd be home later, which leaves us with at least two hours to watch the movie."
"I don't think so, you'll have major nightmares at night Souta," Kagome took her bag and set it on the kitchen table. "And I'll be worse off next time we have to go through the well."
Souta pouted and slumped his shoulders, "I want to see it though!"
"Me too!" Inuyasha faced her and crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm sure it can't be that scary Kagome!"
"Inuyasha! You're supposed to be on MY side!" Kagome stomped her foot and crossed her own arms. "I am NOT watching that movie again!"
"Come on Kagome, watch it with us," Inuyasha turned and nodded at Souta, watching him cheer and run into the living room, setting up the mood by closing the curtains and flipping on the vcr and tv.
"I don't want to Inuyasha," Kagome gulped and stood her ground while he came to her side. To her surprise, he suddenly dipped before her, grabbing her legs and tossing her over his shoulder easily. "Eeek! Put me down!" Pounding on his back, she felt a rush of blood to her head and stopped, opting instead to clutch the back of his haori and fight down the nausea that overwhelmed her.
When Inuyasha dropped her onto the sofa, she sat in a daze for a moment, catching her breath while he took a seat next to her. "Go ahead kid."
Giving one final glare, Kagome crossed her arms and settled in, grateful that she'd already seen it so she could close her eyes in the truly frightening parts. Looking up at Inuyasha beside her, she smiled as she realized he'd sat on the sofa to keep her from getting too scared. [He would have normally sat on the floor with Souta]
Fidgeting with the edge of her skirt while the girls on the screen chatted away happily, Kagome involuntarily jumped along with them at the sound of the phone. After they'd gone downstairs and answered, she felt herself tense in anticipation of the television's noise as it turned on by itself. Beside her, Inuyasha cursed softly and tensed also, casting a confused look at Kagome before focusing again on the girl serving herself a drink.
A soft crackling noise began and Souta turned up the volume to hear better, watching the girl Tomoko slowly look over her shoulder as the noise increased before turning and freezing with a startling gasp. Her image froze in black and white on the screen for a second before the movie moved on to the interview of a young school girl.
"What the fuck?" Inuyasha felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and wondered if maybe Kagome had been right to say it was too frightening. Without thinking of his actions, he slid his hand into hers and held it tightly to soothe her and his own nerves.
As the movie progressed, they moved closer and closer, Kagome slowly sliding towards him, his hand releasing hers to wrap around her shoulder after she jumped at the sight of Tomoko's terrified body in the closet. Reaching the scene where Reiko found the movie and began to watch it, Kagome moved closer, her side pressing against Inuyasha's completely. After it was done, Reiko clicked off the television and her eyes widened for some reason. Neither Inuyasha nor Souta picked up on it and were therefore scared out of their wits as Kagome screamed.
"What the hell's a matter with you?!" Inuyasha shouted, struggling to calm his heart's erratic beats.
"Go back!" Kagome leaned forward to grab the control from Souta's hand and rewind the tape a bit, pausing it so they could see. "Look at that, behind her on the tv!"
"Kami-sama, its the girl in the movie!" Souta jumped onto the sofa beside Kagome and curled up into her arms.
Starting the film again, they gradually fitted themselves together in a way that all three of them felt comfortably safe. Sitting on Kagome's lap with his knees tucked beneath his chin and one of her arms wrapped around his stomach sat Souta, with the blanket they normally draped over the sofa covering him up to his chin. Kagome had slipped onto Inuyasha's lap, one arm holding her brother and the other holding tight to his haori. With his arms crossed and draped over her shoulders, she felt his warmth seep into her and felt his strength soothe her fear away a bit, despite the fact that he too was being scared witless.
During the scene in which Shizuko's ESP presentation was explained, Kagome trembled slightly when Sadako grabbed Reiko's hand, calming moments later as she was pulled back and one of Inuyasha's hands move down to soothe her wrist as if she had been marked. The soft touch gave off a remarkably re-assuring feeling and Kagome was soon slightly more relaxed again.
Later on, as Ryouji hung inside the well and saw Sadako's fingernails on the walls, Kagome turned her head towards Inuyasha, knowing the worst was soon to come. She was surprised to feel him move one hand up to stroke through her hair, his other arm tightening around her stomach a bit. After hearing Reiko and Ryouji leave Izu, Kagome shifted a bit, making Souta sit beside Inuyasha so she could pull her legs up and turn to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder.
"Feh, its over woman," Inuyasha's and Souta's eyes met for a moment, believing her behavior rather foolish now that Sadako had been saved from the well. Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha rested his hands awkwardly around her waist, since he was now not as focused on the movie and finally noticing the intimate hold he'd had on her over the past hour and a half.
A familiar metallic sound brought their focus back on the screen, watching Ryouji turn from his notes to where his tv had turned on by itself. Over the course of the next two and a half minutes, both Souta and Inuyasha got the scare of their lives, barely managing to remain focused on the rest of the movie as the image of the little girl crawling on the ground repeated in their minds.
Kagome, being unable to just sit without watching, had eventually turned to see the shocking scene also and lay trembling in Inuyasha's arms. Turning off the tv, the trio stared in shock at the sight of a white-clad figure on the black screen standing behind them in the doorway. The phone's sudden ringing bringing a chorus of screams from them, making them jump and fall in a heap on the ground.
"HEY!"
The familiar voice brought them out of their terror and calmed them even as she scolded. "What has gotten into all of you? Didn't you hear grandpa and I enter?" Mrs. Higurashi shook her head and frowned at them while lifting the receiver, shushing their pleas to not answer and smiling at the voice at the other end of the line.
"Mayumi! I'm so glad you called! I meant to call you yesterday!" Walking away from the strange group in her living room, she took the cordless up to her room in hopes of getting some peace.
"Kami-sama," Souta shuddered and jumped back up. "I'm never going near a tv again!"
"Me either," Inuyasha agreed, leaning his back against the sofa and allowing Kagome to crawl over and wrap her arms around his waist for both her peace of mind and his. "I KNEW those things were evil! I just knew it!"
Kagome couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips at the conviction in his voice. "What's so funny, wench?"
"Nothing," she sobered quickly enough, resting her cheek against his chest. He held her loosely for a moment, wondering what to do next when Kagome's grandpa appeared in the doorway. "Hello Kagome, Souta, how was your day?"
They answered at the same time, "Fine."
"Good, good," he nodded and frowned at the half-demon holding his granddaughter so comfortably, clearing his throat pointedly. "Its getting late Inuyasha, I'm sure you've noticed the sun is setting?"
"Hai," the hanyou gave a curt nod and watched the old man walk away on the reflection of the tv screen.
Glaring at his sister for being right about the movie, Souta quickly followed his grandpa, suddenly very interested in learning about magic and spells, and most importantly, protection wards.
Chuckling softly at the boy interrogating his grandfather, Inuyasha sighed and was about to lift Kagome from his chest where she lay slightly dozing when a thought struck him. [Its late, getting dark, and...]
"Kagome?"
"Hmm?" Her sleepy eyes blinked up at him, frowning slightly as they met his golden orbs. "What is it Inuyasha?"
Biting his lip and hesitating for a second, he finally had to force himself to swallow down his pride and ask the one question he'd never thought he'd ask.
"Do I... umm... have to go back?"
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