InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tumbleweed's Ficlet Corner ❯ Don't Kiss Me, Love Me ( Chapter 4 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome watched her teacher flounce about the room, popping in on students' papers. Placing her nose back in her book, she scanned the words boredly. She only had it out because it was her only option. It was that or daydream...

 

 

Inuyasha and Kagome sat alone on a hilltop, nothing at all to worry about. Naraku had been dealt with accordingly, and Miroku and Sango had been sleeping beside one another peacefully. Miroku's Kazaana was gone, and Sango's brother could rest in peace. Shippo's parents had been avenged. Naraku had been punished for all his wrong-doing, and Kikyo, too could rest in peace, even if she still was walking around. Behind them was an all-too-cute scene, but both of them were too lost in thought to notice. They were on their way back to Kaede's village, with the whole Shikon no Tama. Kagome was most likely going to disappear down the well for the last time, save for visits once in a blue moon.

 

 

“Don't go,” Inuyasha said suddenly.

 

 

Kagome's gaze shifted from the stars to his form with break-neck speed. “Nani?” she breathed, brows furrowing in confusion.

 

 

“Don't go,” he repeated, turning his amber gaze to her azure one. “I almost lost you once, and I realized that I don't want that - whether you leave on your own accord or by death. Don't go. Don't leave me alone again.”

 

 

It was true Kagome had had a near-death experience during the battle, and she hadn't missed the look on his face as the arrow managed to barely grazeher neck. It had shocked her so bad that she had frozen up. Inuyasha had then howled and ran at her, leaping in front of her and taking the arrow meant for her heart in the chest.

 

 

He fell to the ground with a thud and a groan, getting back up and glaring at the shooter - Kanna. The feeling of love and pride swelled in her chest and she smiled warmly at his back, tears apparent in her eyes.

 

 

Kagome was brought back to her present situation. Inuyasha was staring at her intensely, pleadingly. She blinked at him and nodded. “Yosh,” she said, “I won't leave.”

 

 

Inuyasha, looking extremely relieved, put his arms around her almost desperately and buried his nose in her hair. “I was so afraid you would leave tomorrow and I'd never see you again.” he mumbled into her hair, “I though you hated me.”

 

 

Her heart went out to him, it really did. She realized right then just how insecure he actually was. She put her arms back up around him and embraced him back. “I could never hate you, Inuyasha.” She was lucky to have taken a psychology class, and the first thing her teacher taught them was to recognize certain personality traits and exploit them. Kagome had no intentions of exploiting his insecurity, but she saw it all the same.

 

 

“Promise me,” Inuyasha said, claws momentarily digging into her skin. It hurt, but she forgave him the moment it happened. “Promise me you won't leave,” he pleaded, “Swear it!” Inuyasha was being uncharacteristically emotional at the moment, but Kagome didn't blame him in the least. He was shaking and presumably battling tears. “Onegai, Kagome.” he begged, “Onegai.”

 

 

“I swear, Inuyasha,” she vowed, “I won't leave you.” Inuyasha moved back away from her and stared hard into her face, holding her by the shoulders. She could plainly see the tears swimming in his eyes, and felt her own tears sliding down her face.

 

 

“Kagome, I... I think I...” he stumbled over his words for a moment. “Iie,” he said with upturned lips, “I know it. Aishiteru.”

 

 

The stunned girl stared at him before smiling brightly, “I love you too,” she replied happily and truthfully. He leant down as if to kiss her, but she stopped him with a hand on his lips. “I've promised I won't leave you Inuyasha,” she stated, “Now you have to do the same. Don't kiss me until you can swear, on your honor, that you won't go to hell with Kikyo.” he opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. “Just give me that peace of mind,” she said, “Onegai, Inuyasha.”

 

 

The hanyou looked thoughtful before nodding mutely and bringing himself to his feet. He looked down at her as if it pained him to leave her. “I'll be back,” he said, “I don't know when...” She stood up beside him and looked to him. His gaze turned to her with love and pain shining in his golden orbs. “Go back to the village with the others and I'll be there when I can be.” He began to walk away when she took a few protesting steps toward him. Turning back at her he said, “Go home Kagome. I'll get you when I get back.” With that, he turned and leapt off.

 

 

“Inuyasha...” she breathed. Kagome turned wearily and moved back to camp, keeping her tears hidden.

 

 

That had been the last she had seen of him. She knew the well was still working; she'd gone back every week since then. It had been almost nine weeks - a little over two months. There was no word of Inuyasha's whereabouts; no sightings, no messages of assurance, not even a rumor that he had been seen. It was as if he had fallen off of the face of the earth itself...

 

 

Kagome cried for countless nights because of his disappearance. She felt a strong bond with Inuyasha that used to be sated by just staying near him. After their little scene on the hill, she was missing more than just his aura. She missed his maddeningly sexy smirk, his arrogance, his voice, his arms she rarely got to experience... Damn it all, she wanted him back, and she wanted him now.

 

 

After faking sick, Kagome got home early and headed straight for the well. Her mother held no complaints. She had had enough of his hide-and-seek games, and she was going to find him! All she had to do was figure out exactly how she was going to do that exactly.

 

 

The girl marched through the forest with a fervent purpose, and got to the village in record time. She halted a few yards from Kaede's hut when she finally noticed that instead of the usual, social buzz, silence reigned in the small colony. She ran the last few feet to the hut and tore away the curtain. Her heart stopped at the sight.

 

 

Inuyasha was laid out on his back, hair spread wildly about him. He was beaten and unmoving, dressed in only his fire rat fur pants, the other garments folded and set under his head for a pillow. Kagome fell to her knees next to him, staring helplessly at his form. His eyes were closed, and he was still. Not even a twitch appeared from his normally sensitive ears, and that was the final straw for the future-tensed girl.

 

 

“Iya,” she breathed, tears spilling over her eyes, “Onegai, Kami-sama, iya!” She cried, thrusting herself across the floor toward him. She grasped him, one hand on his shoulder and the other on the side of his face. Her eyes searched his face for some sign of life. “Onegai, Inuyasha,” she begged, “Mezamerimasu, onegai.” Collapsing atop him in a sobbing heap, she cradled his head against her shoulder. “Mezamerimasu,” she sobbed, “Onegai... onegai.” A groan sounded from below her and she felt an arm come to rest against the small of her back. She started and pushed herself up, letting his head fend for itself against his other clothing. “Inuyasha?” she asked warily.

 

 

An arrogant half-grin appeared on his face, beaming up at her as he opened his eyes a bit. “Oi,” he said, raising his other hand to her face. “What's all the fuss and tears over? Yamero,” he commanded. Kagome obeyed as best she could, and gave him a watery smile. “Miss me?” he asked cockily, his voice rougher than usual. He then began to cough violently.

 

 

The girl from the future got off of him and helped him to sit up. She patted his back worriedly, brows furrowing at his obvious distress. When he finally stopped, he craned his neck to look at her. “I'm sorry I was gone of so long... Gomen nasai, demo... I did see Kikyo-san, and as has ours,” he said carefully, “my relationship with Kikyo-san has changed. She's found someone who can accept her for who she is,” At this point he paused and cleared his throat. Kagome placed what she hoped was a comforting hand on his shoulder. He hung his head. “His name is Death.”

 

 

Kagome's heart soared, but she immediately scorned herself for the emotion. It must be a hard blow for Inuyasha. She had been his first love, and no one forgets about that. The girl put her arms around him from behind and placed her forehead against his shoulder blade. “Is that how you were injured?” she asked noncommittally. She would not force him to answer her when he was in obvious emotional and physical distress.

 

 

Inuyasha shook his head `no'. “Not even close,” he said, “I got caught wandering by my brother.” He wasn't about to burden her with the gory details, even if he could feel his entrails still needed a bit of work. The hanyou winced as he tried to get up. He leant back heavily on Kagome with a tired breath.

 

 

“I'm just glad you're glad okay,” she whispered. Realizing he was shirtless, she flushed and pulled away. Kagome wrung her hands and cast a nervous glance toward Inuyasha. He was gently lowering his lithe form back onto the floor, wincing as he did so. Gaze softening, she moved back over to him and helped him place his head in her lap.

 

 

The hanyou suffered through another coughing fit. Kagome flinched with every hack and helped him back into her lap. He was visibly in pain, and he finally wasn't afraid to show it in front of her anymore. He reminded her of a man with tuberculosis she had seen when she was very young. Her father - he had died because of it. The girl was also doing her very best not to panic.

 

 

Spying a bucket of clean water, Kagome gently put Inuyasha down and went to get him a drink. She helped him to sit up again and he feebly attempted to guide the wooden cup to his mouth. He drank as much as possible before breaking into another coughing fit. Kagome set the cup down and waited it out with him. Inuyasha fell back against her wheezing.

 

 

“Daijobu?” she asked quietly, boldly running her hands through his hair. He nodded mutely, closing his eyes and focusing on Kagome's calming presence and getting his breathing under control. “Ano... I missed you.” she said, “That's why I came before you came and got me. I wanted to be around you again.” Kagome was on the verge of tears once again.

 

 

Inuyasha opened his eyes to stare up at her face. One of her hands moved up to paw at her teary eyes. Inuyasha's hand shot after it and took it into his own. Kagome refused to lean down; no matter how kissable he looked right about then. She also directed herself to ignore the pang of desire that hit her south of the border. “Kagome,” he began thickly, “I swear, on my honor, I will not go to hell with Kikyo.” Inuyasha was gazing into her eyes upside-down as she positioned herself above his head.

 

 

Kagome stared into his eyes for a long moment. Inaudibly dipping her chin in response, she accepted his vow. Kagome leant down and placed a tender, chaste kiss on his lips.