Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Elemental: A Feudal Soap Opera	By : plumcider Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > InuYasha/Kagome Views: 19389 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Kagome
was floating in a sea of red. A warm, furry sea of red. And it�s
comfortable, too. Wait...furry? Jolted awake by the thought, she opened her
eyes fully. It�s Inuyasha�s fire rat hoari. Why am I lying on it? It was
then that she noticed who was wearing the clothing that her head was cushioned
on. Eep! She jerked upright, wide awake now. It wasn�t the first time
she had fallen asleep leaning on Inuyasha, but it seemed a little strange right
now, seeing as how she didn�t remember falling asleep in the first place. She
looked around with bleary eyes, feeling disoriented.

Kaede�s.
The light was still dim, but enough early morning sun was filtering through the
windows for her to make out the shapes of the others in the room. They were all
still sleeping. She turned back to Inuyasha, caught by surprise at what she
saw. Shippou was curled up in Inuyasha�s lap near where her head had been, and
the hanyou was petting the fox demon in his sleep.

Oh,
that�s too cute. I wish I had my camera. She couldn�t suppress a tiny
giggle.

Inuyasha
must have heard her, for he stirred, an unintelligible grumble coming from his
lips. After a moment, he popped open an eye, looking down at his lap where he
was still petting a sleeping Shippou. He made a sound of immense disgust. �Get
off me, brat,� he growled, flinging the kitsune away from him. Shippou landed
on Miroku, who sat up and looked around, eyes slightly crossed and looking
dazed.

Kagome
couldn�t help it. She laughed outright.

Inuyasha,
Miroku, and Shippou turned to look at her in astonishment.

�Kagome,�
Inuyasha said, just as Shippou threw himself into her arms, nearly knocking her
over in the process.

�Kagome,�
he shouted in her ear, �You�re awake!�

If
I wasn�t before, I would be now. She waited for the ringing in her ears to
go away.

Shippou
patted her cheek happily. �I was starting to think you�d never wake up.�

She
stared at him in confusion for a moment, then she remembered everything in a
rush. Heat flooded her face, and her eyes flew to meet Inuyasha�s. The
spring...he heard us at the spring...I was going home...Oh gods, he heard
us...and then the youkai...Oh gods...

Shippou
was still chattering away in her ear, but she didn�t hear any of the words. She
was still staring at Inuyasha. He met her gaze directly, but she couldn�t read
the expression there. What...what is he thinking? Is he going to send me
home? She felt like looking away, but didn�t, trying to gauge his mood. She
had no idea what she was going to say to him. She didn�t know if she should say
anything. Finally, she jerked her gaze away, only to realize that Sango
was now awake and speaking to her.

�I�m
sorry, Sango. I didn�t hear you,� she said. She stole another, nervous glance
at Inuyasha. He was still looking at her, saying nothing.

Sango
repeated her question. �Would you like something to drink?�

�To
drink?� She struggled to turn her attention back to Sango. �Oh. Yes. Actually,
I am thirsty,� Kagome said.

Miroku
came to stand before her. �Are you hungry, Kagome?�

Kagome
began to grow confused. �Yes,� she replied, realizing that she was ravenous.
�But you don�t have to...�

�It
is no trouble,� he interrupted, and went to fill a crockery bowl as Sango
pressed a cup of cool water into her free hand.

�Here,
Kagome,� Sango said. �Can I get you anything else? Are you cold? Would you like
a blanket?�

Alright,
this is getting weird. �No, thank you, Sango,� she said, gently setting
Shippou down. He snuggled up to her side as if afraid she�d leave. Inuyasha was
still staring, that strange look on his face.

What
on earth is going on here?

Kaede
waddled over and grasped Kagome�s chin, nearly causing her to drop her water,
and turned her head this way and that. At last, apparently satisfied, she hmmphed
and let her go.

Kagome
wondered if she was having a strange nightmare. She pinched herself to make
sure. �Ouch,� she muttered. Okay, not dreaming. That hurt!

�Are
you in pain?� Inuyasha asked. Kagome stared at him, wondering what he was up
to.

Distracted,
she answered truthfully. �Yes. I just pinched myself.� She flushed, resisting
the urge to slap her hand over her mouth before she babbled something else
without thinking.

Inuyasha
gave her another strange look, but didn�t say anything.

Miroku
shuffled in front of Kaede to hand Kagome a bowl of soup, Inuyasha still
staring at her. She was getting unnerved, but she tried to ignore it and eat,
figuring she would need her strength for whatever happened later.

It
was difficult to accomplish with everyone watching her, but she managed it,
finishing eating before she finally lost her patience. She set her bowl down
before crossing her arms over her chest defensively. �Alright, out with it.
What�s going on?�

An
uncomfortable silence descended on the hut.

�Well?
What is it?�

Still
no one spoke. Kagome began to grow truly worried. �Guys? Come on, you�re
starting to scare me. What is it?� It had to be bad if no one wanted to tell
her. Has Inuyasha really decided to make me leave? Is that what they don�t
want to tell me? Her breath caught, and she let her eyes settle on Sango,
hoping that the other girl would enlighten her.

Sango
opened her mouth as if to speak, then burst into tears and ran from the hut.
Kagome stared after her in shock, then turned to survey the others. Miroku
wouldn�t meet her eyes, Shippou looked as confused as she was, and Kaede�s face
was grim. Kagome turned to Inuyasha, silently pleading for an explanation.

His
eyes didn�t leave Kagome�s face. �Kaede-baba,� he began, and something in his
voice frightened Kagome. �Take Shippou outside.� He did not speak while Kaede
picked up a protesting Shippou and left the hut, Miroku trailing after them.

�Are
you sure you aren�t in any pain?� Inuyasha�s voice startled her, even though
she had been expecting him to speak.

�Yes,
I�m sure,� she replied, hoping he couldn�t tell how rattled she felt. Kagome
waited for Inuyasha to speak again, but he didn�t seem to be in any hurry to do
so. She was so nervous; she didn�t know what to do with her hands, so she
folded them in her lap. Inuyasha still said nothing, and Kagome found that she
was beginning to feel strange. Almost dizzy. She wondered if she had finally
experienced enough stress for her first heart attack, and nearly giggled
hysterically. Oh no. Wouldn�t that be just my luck?

�Kagome,�
Inuyasha said, and her head jerked up.

�Yes,�
she said, voice sounding strangled.

He
sighed and rolled his eyes. �Breathe.�

She
started, not having realized that she�d been holding her breath. She let it out
with a whoosh, coloring slightly and looking away. I
have to stop being so immature about this. He shouldn�t have to be the one to
speak first. I owe him an apology, after all. She decided to hazard a peek
up at him. He was still looking at her, but his expression had softened a bit,
and she could see a touch of concern in his eyes. It gave her courage. She took
a deep breath, careful not to forget to let it out this time, and spoke. �I�m
sorry, Inuyasha,� she said. �I didn�t mean to...�... pretend to be your dead
lover... �I didn�t mean to...� ...take something from you that should
only be given... �I didn�t mean to betray your trust,� she finally got out
in a shaky voice. �If you want me to leave, I�ll understand. I...�

�Shut
up,� he said, interrupting her.

Kagome
bit her lower lip. Damn it, I�m not going to cry. I�m not. I deserve this.
�I�m sorry,� she whispered, tears beginning to track down her cheeks in spite
of herself.

Inuyasha
cursed, and she felt his hands on her upper arms, dragging her into his lap.
Kagome squeaked in surprise. �What are you doing?� She tried to pull back from
him, but he just tightened his grip.

�Stupid,�
he said, tucking her head down to his chest and resting his chin against her
hair. �I said shut up. You didn�t betray anyone, and I don�t want you to
leave.�

Kagome
felt a spark of hope spring to life in her heart, and tried to squash it. �But
I pretended to be Kikyo,� she said into his hoari.

�Yeah,
well, you suck at pretending,� he said. �I knew who you were.�

�What?�
Kagome tried to lift her head to look at Inuyasha, but he wouldn�t let her.
After a brief struggle with him mashing her face back to his shoulder, she gave
up and relaxed against him, waiting for his answer.

�I
said,� he repeated, sounding exasperated. �I knew who you were.�

That
gave her pause. �You did?� She asked in a small voice. �Really?�

She
felt his chest rise and fall in a heavy sigh. �Yes. I�m not stupid, you know. I
wouldn�t have...� His voice ground to a halt, and he muttered an unintelligible
curse. She flushed lightly, glad her face was down and he couldn�t see it, and
he continued. �I just didn�t remember at first. I thought it had been another
dream until I heard you and Sango talking at the hot springs.�

So
he knew it was me? What does that mean? Does he...? I�m so confused! �I�m sorry, Inuyasha,� she said quietly.

�Feh,�
he growled, shifting to look down at her. �You don�t listen very well, do you?
I told you to shut up.�

Neither
one of them spoke again for a few minutes. Finally, Inuyasha sighed again, his
breath fanning over her hair, making her shiver. His arms tightened about her.
�Are you cold?� He asked, voice gruff.

�No.�
Not cold. Not cold at all. Why isn�t he pushing me away? Wait...did he
say...? �Inuyasha...�

�Kagome...�

The
hanyou grunted, and she smothered a nervous giggle before it could escape. �You
go first,� he said.

Kagome
nodded. She absently picked up a strand of his silver hair, wrapping it around
her index finger. �What did you mean by �another� dream?� He tensed beneath
her. She waited for an answer, then waited some more. He remained silent.
�Inuyasha?�

Nothing.
Okay, I guess he�s not going to answer me. Kagome tried again to push
away from him.

�Hold
still,� he snapped. �I�m trying to talk to you.�

�Then
talk already,� she said, frustrated. �What is it? Are you mad at me? You say
you don�t want me to leave...what do you want? Talk!�

�Feh.
Give me a minute, damn it. I�m trying.�

That�s
it. He�s driving me crazy. �Inuyasha, just say what is on your mind. It shouldn�t be that
hard. You aren�t going to make me feel any worse than I already do. I don�t
expect you to lie for my sake, or to have to carefully pick your words. I know
what I did was wrong. I knew you didn�t want me that way, and I know I took
advantage anyway. I said I�m sorry, but I understand that it�s not enough. I
don�t expect you to forgive me, but at least talk to me. I can�t stand this
anymore,� she finished, voice muffled by a face full of his clothing.

Inuyasha
drew back to look at her, surprised. �Kagome,� he said. �I never said...�

Kagome
waited, but he didn�t continue. �What? You never said what?�

He
looked away, face coloring. �I never said...� he repeated, voice lowering to a
mumble.

She
leaned a closer to him. �What? I didn�t hear you.�

This
time his answer was so low she barely heard him at all. If she hadn�t seen his
lips move, she wouldn�t have known he had even spoken. She huffed in
frustration. �Inuyasha...I can�t hear you. Speak louder,� she said,
enunciating slowly and clearly, as she would to a child.

Inuyasha
made an aggravated sound, swinging irritation-filled eyes to meet hers. �I said
that I never told you I didn�t want you, you deaf bitch,� he fairly yelled in
her face, then flushed even deeper, averting his eyes.

Kagome
blinked at him in shock. What is he saying? That he did want me? �Would you...� she began, pausing to
clear her throat lightly. �Would you say that again?�

Inuyasha
gave her an incredulous look. �You heard me,� he said, and then she heard him
mutter under his breath, �The whole fucking village probably heard me.�

Kagome
was finding it hard to breathe. �Please, humor me. I don�t think I heard you
right.�

Inuyasha
rolled his eyes and gave a long-suffering sigh. He pushed her head back down to
his shoulder. �I said that I want you. I wouldn�t have done...what I did, if I
didn�t.�

She
mulled that over for a moment. He said he wanted me. He actually said it. He
wouldn�t lie to me about something like that. Would he? �So...so you aren�t
sorry...that I...?�

He
grunted. �Hell yeah, I�m sorry.�

Kagome
flinched. Ouch. She tried to get up, but his arms clamped tightly around
her back, not letting her move. �Kagome...�

�Let
me go, Inuyasha,� she said, desperate to get away. Stupid! Stupid Kagome! Of
course he�s sorry. What did you expect? A declaration of love? I�m such an
idiot. She increased her struggles to escape his hold.

�No!
Damn it, listen to me,� he said, struggling just as hard to keep her from
rising. �Stop it. Kagome...ouch! Shit!� He looked at her in disbelief. �You bit
me!�

�Let
me go!� Kagome was seething.

�Kagome,
please...�

She
stopped trying to get up. Did he just say please? He had sounded so
unsure of himself, and it struck a chord within her. She tried to hide her
reaction. She sniffed. �Fine. Speak.�

He
glared at her for a moment, then shook his head. �Oi, you�re frustrating.� He
pushed her head back down before she could form a retort. I really wish he�d
stop doing that. He cleared his throat. �Kagome, you are a miko.�

�Really?�
She didn�t try to hide the sarcasm in her voice. What does that have to do
with anything? And he says I�m frustrating.

�Let
me finish, damn it.� He squeezed her shoulder for emphasis. �You are a miko,
and I am half youkai.�

Does
this have something to do with people�s prejudice against hanyous? He should
know me better than that. She hastened to reassure him. �That doesn�t
matter to me. I...�

�Idiot!
It does matter,� he snapped. Kagome fell silent. �When a miko...lies with a
youkai, her powers are destroyed. Understand?�

What?
That doesn�t make any sense, though. �But...Kikyo
was a miko.�

He
shifted uncomfortably. �I was never with Kikyo that way. We were waiting until
I was human.�

�But
you were human that night.�

�It
doesn�t matter. I�m still a hanyou. I still had my demon blood. I couldn�t seal
your power, but my youki marked yours. Do you see?�

About
as well as a blind man in a cave. What is he talking about? �No, I don�t
see.�

Inuyasha
groaned faintly, then sighed. �Kagome, do you remember what happened when you
were fighting the youkai before you fainted?�

�I
didn�t faint,� she said, indignant.

He
growled. �Do you remember?�

A
memory of unbearable, blinding pain flashed through her head, and she hastily
shoved it aside. �Yes. I was trying to shoot one of my arrows, but it hurt.� That
could win an Understatement of the Year Award. It felt like I was being ripped
apart from the inside.

He
nodded, hugging her lightly. Kagome couldn�t help but wonder if he even realized
he was doing it. �You see?�

Oh
good grief, why can�t he just come right out and say whatever it is he�s trying
to say? My head�s starting to hurt. �Inuyasha, I don�t know what you�re
talking about.�

�Kaede
said that if the youkai�s poison hadn�t knocked you out, you�d be dead now.
Your miko energy was trying to destroy you.�

Okay.
Is that all? She pondered that for a moment. Alright, so maybe that�s
not such a small thing, but still... �I survived, though, so that�s good,
right? I�m not sure I understand what you�re getting at.�

Inuyasha
swore. �It�ll happen again.�

Kagome
was thoroughly confused. �What do you mean?�

Inuyasha�s
arms tightened around her, and his head dropped to rest atop hers. �Kagome,
it�s killing you.�

Oh.
Kagome froze. So I�m going to die? Well, then. I guess I screwed up more
than I thought, huh? She tried to think of something to say, but couldn�t.
Her thoughts were too scattered. It was a moment before she realized that
Inuyasha was speaking.

�That�s
why I�m sorry,� he finished, then waited. She still couldn�t think of anything
to say. �Kagome?�

She
looked up at him.

�Say
something. Are you alright?�

He
was looking at her fearfully, and she realized that he was expecting her to
fall apart, and was apparently dreading it. She shook her head, then changed
her mind and nodded. His eyes began to show serious concern, and she realized
that she was making no sense. She struggled to pull her thoughts together.
�Yes, I�m fine,� she managed after a minute. Inuyasha had begun rubbing small
circles on her back, and it served to center her a little. �Thank you,
Inuyasha, for telling me,� she continued absently.

Kagome
felt faintly numb. I�m going to die? Why am I not freaking out? Is this what
shock feels like?

Inuyasha
was still rubbing her back, and she decided to focus on that, instead. It felt
good. Why is he being so nice to me? He cleared his throat, and she
glanced up at him. �You shouldn�t be afraid or anything. Kaede said that we
could fix it.�

�Really?�
She asked, not really hearing him. Inuyasha was still petting her
absentmindedly.

�She
said that since you still had some control, that there might be a chance to
save you. I swear, Kagome, we�ll figure it out.� Kagome noticed that his voice
sounded strained. Is he...worried? Maybe he does care a little bit.
Then it struck her: even if he did care, it wouldn�t matter soon. She was going
to die. The numb feeling began to wear off.

Feeling
as if she were drowning, she reached out a hand to him, looking for support. �Inuyasha,�
she said, voice catching. He caught her hand and looked at her, a mournful look
on his face. She felt moisture begin to fill her eyes and began to tremble. His
eyes softened, and he pulled her to his chest, smoothing his hand over her head
and rocking her gently.

�Gods,
I�m sorry, Kagome,� he whispered into her hair. �I should have told you before.
I knew what would happen if we ever...but I never thought...� his voice trailed
off as she began to cry in earnest. �I�m sorry,� he said again, and then just
held her, patting her awkwardly.

She
gripped his hoari in both hands and tried to come to terms with what he had
told her. It was hard, but she began to piece her control together bit by bit.
Finally, her tears turned to watery hiccups, and she began to feel embarrassed
for her outburst. Come on, Kagome. He said that there might be a way to cure
you. No use in burying yourself yet. She took several deep breaths, trying
to gather herself. �So,� she said finally, voice subdued but fairly steady, considering.
�Kaede thinks there might be a solution.�

She
felt him nod above her. �Miroku, Sango...we�re all trying. We�ll figure
something out, Kagome.�

Kagome
looked up at him, seeing the earnestness on his face, mixed with tenderness and
worry. Her breath caught. He really does care. Entranced by the emotion
in his eyes, she began leaning toward him.

His
expression changed to startled. �What are you doing?�

She
leaned closer, until her mouth was just a breath from his. �Kissing you,� she
said, before brushing her lips softly over his own.

He
was quiet for a moment, staring down at her. �Haven�t you been listening?�

Kagome
dropped her gaze, shifting nervously on his lap. �Didn�t you like it?�

She
heard him sigh. �Kagome,� he said, catching her chin in his clawed hand. �We
can�t do this. Don�t you understand? We can�t be together. Not like that.�

Kagome
began to get angry. Her eyes flew to meet his. �Why? Why can�t we be together,
Inuyasha? The worst has already happened!�

He
didn�t answer her right away. He stared at her, seeming to be struggling with
something. Finally, he spoke. �Tell me, Kagome. Why did you do it?�

�Do
what?� She asked, but she knew very well what he was asking. He knew that she
knew, too, for he simply waited for her to answer. She sighed. I have
nothing else to lose. I might as well tell him. She looked away. �I was
selfish. I tried to convince myself that I was doing it for you, but I wasn�t.
You were calling out for Kikyo, but I just used it for an excuse. I wanted to
be with you...even if it was only that once.�

�You,�
he began, hesitantly. �You wanted me? You didn�t do it because you felt sorry
for me?�

She
blinked up at him. �No! I love you,� she said, shocked that he would think she
would give herself to him out of some sort of pity, and even more shocked that
she had blurted out that she had loved him. She noticed his answering look of
surprise, but it didn�t stop her tirade. �Why would I pity you? I love you, and
you said that you...you said...� She stopped. Idiot. He didn�t say he loved
you. He said he wanted you. There�s a big difference. She stared at him,
wide-eyed.

Inuyasha
seemed to read her thoughts. �Don�t think like that, Kagome. You know better.
I...care...about you,� he said, obviously uncomfortable.

She
felt a twinge that he hadn�t returned her words, but was still relieved that he
hadn�t just taken what was offered because it was there. �So, then,� she said,
choosing her words carefully this time. �Do you not want to...be with me...the
way I want to be with you?�

�Kagome,�
he began, but then just stopped, staring at her. Finally, he shook his head. �I
don�t know what to say. How can you ask me this? This is crazy, Kagome. Don�t
you care that you�re dying?�

�Of
course I care,� she cried, then turned away. I just keep making a fool of
myself, don�t I? She sniffed, fixing her gaze on the wall.

Inuyasha
tried to pull her back to him, but she resisted. He didn�t press the issue this
time. He closed his eyes. �Damn it. I was supposed to be comforting you, not
upsetting you.�

He
wants to comfort me? She stole another glance at him. He looked dejected.
She felt a pang in her heart. She reached out tentatively, touching the back of
his hand. He jumped slightly, eyes opening. �Thank you,� she said, softly. His
eyes held hers for a moment, then he nodded slowly. Kagome gave him a weak
smile, then froze when she heard the sniffling coming from the hanyou�s neck. Wait
a minute...his neck?

�It�s
so...so...� came a voice from the same region. Kagome�s eyes widened.

�Myouga,�
Inuyasha growled before slapping the flea youkai flat. �What the hell are you
doing here?�

�Lord
Inuyasha,� Myouga cried as soon as he could breathe again. �I could not help
but overhear your conversation with Lady Kagome.� Kagome felt her face flame in
embarrassment. Can this get any more humiliating?

Inuyasha
bared his fangs at the flea. �Myouga...!� His fingers were already moving to
squish the tiny demon.

�Wait!
Wait, Lord Inuyasha,� the flea said, cringing. �I can help you.�

Kagome
took pity on Inuyasha�s retainer, picking him up in her palm. �Let him speak,
Inuyasha.�

Myouga
beamed up at her. �Thank you, Lady Kagome. I have always remarked upon your kindness.�

�Talk,
flea,� Inuyasha said, impatient.

Myouga
puffed up, looking quite proud of himself. �I know of a way to save Lady
Kagome.�

�How?�
Inuyasha and Kagome both spoke at once.

Myouga
hopped to the hanyou�s shoulder, pausing dramatically before whispering loudly
in Inuyasha�s ear. �Why, the same way that your father saved your mother.�

***

Jaken
had rushed back to his master as soon as he had overheard the monk and the
demon exterminator speaking by the river near the human village. They had not
known he was there, and he had discovered what he fervently hoped would be
useful information for his lord. He could be...difficult when displeased. And
he�s nearly always displeased. Jaken hid a frown and hurried to give his
report.

�Lord
Sesshoumaru, I have news for you of the hanyou.�

Sesshoumaru
merely arched an aristocratic eyebrow and waited for him to continue.

Jaken
pulled himself up a little straighter. �Apparently, your...er...he has defiled
the miko.�

Sesshoumaru�s
eyes narrowed, and Jaken knew he had his full attention. �Explain.�

�She
is unclean now. They say that she will die.�

Sesshoumaru
was silent for a long moment, and Jaken began to feel uncomfortable underneath
his gaze. �How did you learn this?�

Jaken
pulled nervously at the collar of his robe. �The entire village where they live
is whispering about it. I became curious, so I followed two of the hanyou�s
traveling companions. I overheard them talking.�

�I
see.� Sesshoumaru�s expression became unreadable, and he turned away, motioning
for Rin, who had been playing just out of earshot, to follow. �Come, Jaken. We
must prepare.�

Jaken
hurried to catch up with his master, who was already striding away, the little
girl skipping along beside him. �Prepare for what, my lord?�

Sesshoumaru
glanced over his shoulder at his retainer. �Inuyasha will be paying us a visit
soon.�

Jaken
sputtered, forgetting himself. �Whatever for?�

Sesshoumaru
didn�t turn around. �I have something that he will want.�

***

-to be continued-
- 10
- 11
- 12
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Elemental: A Feudal Soap Opera