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Finding Kagome	By : MetsukiKaraTen Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > InuYasha/Kagome Views: 8806 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 36
- 37
- 38
DISCLAIMER: I do not
own InuYasha and company, however I DO own an overactive
imagination...

WARNING:
Entirely too much fluff, read at your own risk

Finding
Kagome

Chapter
Thirty Seven

They
sat in blissful silence on the wooden bench, clean ocean air and the
hum of the rest of the world seemed to whirl past them on fast
forward. The only thing that mattered to either of them was the
person they were with.

They
had purchased waffle cones, two scoops each. Vanilla for him, and
Cherry Cheesecake for her. Not accustomed to the frozen treat,
InuYasha took tentative bites at it. Watching with intense interest
as Kagome licked around the base of her confection, he found himself
squirming uncharacteristically. Just something about that tongue
action took his mind to places it didn't need to be at the moment.
Soon though, he mimicked her approach and found that much preferable
to using his teeth. Of course it would be. The thought brought a
wistful smile to his lips.

Their
get away had been quite simple, once Sally had explained to him how
easily the window opened. At first he hadn't realized that was her
way of telling him that it was ok for them to leave, in spite of
Michaels heated protests.

The
hardest part had been to get Kagome to stop her teasing attentions to
his neck long enough to actually go. Not that he had wanted
her to stop. . . no, not really.

They
met at the bike in the garage, and Kagome had watched with
fascination at the speed in which he changed his headgear. Not caring
for the restriction of the helmet, he had opted to always keep his
hat tucked into his jacket and would switch back to it when not
riding. There had been nothing but time to practice the technique
while he had impatiently awaited their return the night before.
Flattening his ears on his head as he traded off, hat to helmet and
then back again, it soon had become a smooth fluid action. His hat,
after being stuffed into his jacket a few times, was taking on a
softer more worn feel, which suited him much better than the
stiffness it had when it was new.

A
short stop at the motorcycle dealership and Kagome had a matching
helmet of her own, and a new leather jacket designed specifically for
their mode of transportation. It looked nice on her, though she had
balked at first, having seen the price tag. He made it clear to her
that having the proper protective gear came with riding with him, and
if she wanted to go riding, then she would have to accept the jacket
and helmet.

He
wondered if it would always be so difficult to buy her things. In the
future he would need to find a way to hide the price in advance, to
avoid a repeat of the argument.

They
had then detoured to the place she called “The Mall”,
where she said she needed to pick up a few things, mostly some
changes of clothing for her work. The bastards had torn everything up
that she had left at home, and jeans were not suitable for the
classroom.

They
had toured the place at their leisure, and though it was enclosed it
hadn't been too oppressive to him thanks to the skylights and
multilevel ceilings. He thought it a little odd that everywhere they
went there seemed to be the same low level music playing. These
modern people seemed to be obsessed with having background music to
everything they did.

While
strolling through the mall, she had made good on her promise to tell
him about Taki, her mother's gardener, and how he had been injured by
falling one afternoon during her visit. She explained that she knew
only from a dream that she once had a gift of healing and when he had
been injured, she had felt compelled to try using her power to
mend the injury. It had worked, healing more than just the twisted
knee, apparently. She said it was as if twenty years had been erased
from the man. It was obvious that she was as awed by it as everyone
else.

InuYasha
recalled how in the later years, Kagome had often pulled out her
first aid kit, only to put it away again because her power had
increased enough to mend most minor injuries. He couldn't help a
wistful smile at their arguments over his 'scratches'. Even some not
so minor wounds had closed at her touch, her holy power had been even
stronger after the Jewel had been completed. She, however had been
powerless to help herself in the end. She had once said the power was
for giving and protecting. . . not receiving. That to heal herself
would be a selfish act.

Somehow
that had just seemed wrong to him. But she would hear none of his
arguments in those days. Not when it came to matters regarding her
innate abilities. He had finally resigned himself to this fact, when
she pointed out that he himself just 'knew' about his own innate
abilities.

He
couldn't help but wonder what the union of all those gifts would
create. What wonders would their pups have been able to perform. . .

They
had run into a old college friend of Kagome's, and InuYasha was still
not so sure he liked being introduced as her 'new boyfriend'. It just
didn't sound serious enough. The friend was pushing a small
cart that held a squalling brat and Kagome made over the pup like she
was a long lost relative or something. He watched her pick the little
boy up, and coo into his ear before her hands began to glow lightly.
He had quieted right down, sucking his thumb around a smile with
tears still clinging to his long eyelashes. It had reminded him of
how good she had always been with Shippou when he was little.

The
friend was elated that the child liked Kagome so much, explaining
that he was usually very nervous around strangers. All the while
Kagome bounced him lightly in her arms and looked the perfect picture
of a doting mother. All InuYasha could do was smile and shake his
head. Some things just don't change.

Passing
by a pet shop on the main floor, Kagome had gasped and grabbed his
hand to drag him in to see some puppies in a glass walled display in
the center of the store. She had picked up a white one, and cuddled
it like it were her own. The sign said the puppies were 'Samoyed',
an arctic breed.

“Aw
look. . .” she whispered, pushing up closely against him. “His
ears are just like yours. . .”

“I
promise you, that pup and I are not related,” he responded,
unable to resist rubbing behind it's ears.

“Hm.
. . are you sure? Let me see,” and she held it up with a mock
seriousness that made him snort, then brought it back to nuzzle it's
neck. “His neck is fuzzier,” she smirked. “Mmm
puppy hair,” she rubbed her nose against it's fur, with a look
of complete bliss.

“Should
I get jealous?” He asked at her coquettish glance up at him
from the puppy's neck. She then sighed, and gently placed it back
into the case, standing back to admire it with a wistful expression.
“So Kagome . . . What would you call him? I mean his name . .
. if he was yours?”

She
hesitated for only a half a second before she answered with a smirk,
“Why . . . Junior, of course!” She then ducked any
possible retaliation, and quickly made tracks out of the store with
him on her heels. Catching her easily by the waist, he tested a once
known 'tickle spot' and found great satisfaction when she proceeded
to laugh hysterically, begging him to stop.

Her
next destination had been a shop that specialized in women's wear,
primarily undergarments by the look of the pictures plastered all
over the walls. Too many half dressed females gazing down at him had
left him feeling very uncomfortable, and he made the excuse that he
had to (as Sesshoumaru would say) relieve himself, with the
understanding that he would return shortly

He
then secretly returned to the pet shop and made arrangements for
'Junior' to be delivered to the compound, along with all the
necessary items for his care. This had taken no small amount of time,
he had never dreamed a little puppy had so many needs. His stomach
had begun to growl, and as he was concluding the transaction, he
impulsively grabbed a bag of treats from a stand on the counter,
adding them to the total. He said he'd keep that item, then returned
to the bench outside the shop he had left Kagome in.

As
he went to make the call to warn Sesshoumaru about the impending
arrival of 'Junior' he had panicked when he realized he did not have
his 'leash' with him. But there had been nothing to be done for it,
he would just have to remember to make the call later. Shrugging he
ripped open the bag and began eating while he waited.

Kagome
had found him while he was still enjoying his little snack.

“Remind
me not to kiss you anymore . . .” she made a face as her eyes
darted between the bag and his busy jaw.

“What's
wrong? These are good, try one,” he rose still chewing, to
offer her a morsel. She dodged the hand as he tried to slip it into
her mouth.

“ICK!
Those are made out of horse meat!” She stuck her tongue out in
disgust.

“Are
not! Look. . . it says 'Beef' on the package.” He showed her
the label.

“Artificially
BEEF flavored . . . soy product? Veggie snacks for DOGS?” She
smirked, “Nutritious and Satisfying – Eco Friendly
Product.”

“Veggie,
huh?” He looked at one for a moment, then sniffed at it. “What
the fuck,” he shrugged, “it tastes good. . .” and
he popped another one into his mouth.

As
luck would have it, there had been another shop on the second floor
that dealt with all manor of blades. Most of the more decorative
items were just that, not high enough quality to actually be worthy
of battle. And many were of fanciful designs, looking like they would
be all but impossible to actually wield. However, the set of throwing
knives he found were remarkably well balanced and the merchant even
allowed Kagome to test them on a target they had set up at the rear
of the shop.

Unsure
about handling a 'real weapon' she was hesitant about trying them,
let alone buying them. It had taken a long, hushed discussion for her
to see the reasoning behind having crafted weapons as opposed to
kitchen tools.

When
she finally did try her hand with them, he had been able to give her
some pointers on technique. Her improvement with each round had been
impressive, to say the least.

But
of course his Kagome would be adept at defense.

She
agreed that he was right about them and he bought her three sets. He
then instructed her to wear at least three hidden under her clothes
at all times, within easy reach. As much as he might wish otherwise,
he knew he could not be with her every second of every day.

One
more stop and she quickly chose two outfits for work. He had been
disappointed that she chose skirts, knowing she wouldn't be riding
with him dressed like that. She had said they were just to get by,
that she would shop in earnest another day. She really wanted to go
to this 'wharf' place today, and had suggested a particular 'ice
cream shop' there for what was in her opinion, a more acceptable
snack.

He
had to admit, it was a pretty good idea.

“I
don't get it. . .” Kagome ventured between long laps on her ice
cream, which for his own peace of mind, he carefully tried to avoid
watching. “Why did you wait until now to find me?”

“I
had to give you time . . . you know . . . ” he stared at his
cone which was beginning to get soggy on the pointed bottom.

“You
mean to reincarnate . . .” she looked at him thoughtfully.
“Well . . . it was good timing. How did you know?”

“I
could feel you,” he answered in a matter of fact tone, pressing
his fist into his solar plexus for emphasis. “The rosary told
me when you were near,” he fingered the rosary, “but I
just . . . knew you were on this side of the ocean.”

“You
were in Japan?” her eyes widened as she reached and lightly
touched the beads she had played with when they were in the tree.

“Hai.”
He watched her reaction while he absently bit the soggy end off of
his cone, and discovered a little fountain of melted ice cream that
wouldn't stop. “Kuso . . .” he muttered as he held the
thing up and tried to continue catching the ceaseless drip into his
mouth, growling low in frustration.

Kagome's
ensuing giggles at first annoyed him, but when he saw the brightness
in her eyes he didn't mind so much after all.

“So
when did you become Caleb?” She carefully held her own cone
away from from her to avoid spoiling her clothes. He watched her make
quick work of finishing it, and licking her fingers.

“The
night I followed you home. Sessh. . .” he stuttered,
preoccupied with the show she was providing, “Eh . . . Seth
gave me my I.D. earlier that night, before we went to the opera.”

“Opera,
huh?” She reached over and ran her thumb over a spot on the
corner of his lips which he had neglected to lick clean. “You
don't really strike me as the 'opera' type.” Her grin was
whimsically lopsided at the thought.

“Feh
. . . I slept through the damn thing,” he blushed, his own grin
matching hers.

“I
think you could sleep through a nuclear blast . . . at least you
don't snore . . . too loud,” at his incredulous look she
hid a smirk behind the back of her hand.

“I
don't snore. . . at all,” he corrected her, brows
lifting into his bangs. Giving up on the sodden mess in his hand, he
rose and tossed it over the edge of the pier. Licking his fingers, he
watched a pair of gulls dive after it.

“How
long have you been here? I mean, here . . .”

“A
little over a week,” he dropped to his haunches in front of
her. “We flew in the night before the almost . . . accident.”
He realized that he hadn't actually talked with her about that day,
only Sally and Michael knew. “We were in that limo. Me and my
brother . . . I was so worried about you. . .” He reached for
her hand.

Kagome
appeared lost in thought as she scanned the boats in the bay.

“I
had a dream about you . . . that same night,” she faltered, an
unidentifiable expression shadowing her features, her arms crossed
around her middle.

“Nani,
Koi?” He rose and sat next to her again, bringing an arm around
her shoulders and pulling her close. When she didn't respond
immediately, he followed her gaze out toward the boats in the bay.
“You weren't serious about never kissing me again . . . were
you?”

At
that she snorted. “I'm thinking about it.” Seeing her
lopsided grin, he knew she was teasing him.

“Keh.
. . Let me help you make up your mind . . .” he brought his
hand up behind her neck and pulled her to touch noses and foreheads
for a moment, then gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. Nuzzling
into her neck, he breathed deeply of her scent. She sighed, relaxing
into his ministrations.

Pulling
back, he offered her his best 'hopeful puppy' expression. She had a
high blush on her cheeks and was quaking with her unreleased giggles
at his antics. He noticed a small crystalline drop of dried ice
cream on her chin, and not thinking he casually lapped at it as
though it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

Kagome's
mouth dropped to his so quickly it took his breath away, and for a
moment he thought his heart would beat right out of his chest as she
dragged her searing tongue against his, before their lips joined
fully in an all consuming kiss. Her hands cupped his cheeks, then
tangled into his braids and he enfolded her with his arms, fingers
splayed against her back and her hair, the world around them
completely forgotten.

It
was undeniable. He could feel it more strongly than ever before,
that warm rolling dance of their very essences wrapping around one
another, mingling, becoming one. Of all the places they had traveled,
in all the years they had wandered, seeking . . . of all the times
they had shared, and all the time they had spent apart, they were
both now . . . finally home.

oOo

“Christ!
I hate this human interest shit!” The young field reporter
yanked her bag out of the seat of the station van and dropped it to
the street as she fumbled in the glove box in search of something.

“You
asked for it, R.T. . .” admonished her camera man as he
carefully assembled his equipment through the side door. “It's
what you get for that 'this reporter is keeping her doors locked'
line,” his mocking tenor was accompanied with a bobbing of his
shaggy blond head, earning him an explosive glare from the petite
woman.

“It
was the truth, damnit! I didn't cause the problem, it's not my fault
business is a little off!” she shook her head, her hair
whipping back and forth, “where the hell are they?” She
muttered to herself, then dropped to a crouch and started digging
into the voluminous bag on the pavement.

“Yeah,
but it all comes back around . . . You say something stupid
and local business drops and guess who's advertising pads your
sweet little paycheck?” He held up a micro lens for his steady
cam and examined it against the light, before running a polishing
cloth over it.

“Enough
already . . . it wasn't stupid, damnit . . . hey, you seen my
contacts case?” She stood with her hand on her hip, her eyes
darting to all the places she had already searched.

“I
swear, you'd lose you ass . . . if it wasn't an implant,” he
deadpanned.

She
paused a moment to eye his entirely too casual stance.

“You're in the wrong business, Tard . . . you should be a
goddamn comedian,” she reached over and roughly patted his
broad shoulder. “At least I have contributed to the city
beautification project, how about you? You get that ear job,
yet?” She grinned wickedly as she reached up for his hair to
have him yank his head away.

“Hey!
No handling the merchandise! OK . . . so, you called me 'Tard' . .
. Does that mean I get to call you 'Bitch'?” He asked
hopefully as he pulled the strap of his nylon equipment case over his
shoulder then tapped a button whispering the door closed. Her lack of
response indicated to him that he had made his point about abusing
his name. At least for the moment.

Taking
in a deep breath of the fresh ocean air, he raised his camera to scan
the area. He had to admit, it was a great day to be outside. Even
if the 'bitch' didn't appreciate it.

“Well,
crap . . . I guess I'll have to work without them. You're my eyes,
Ted. You know how damned nearsighted I am.” She picked
up her microphone and lowered the van door. Her wide heels rapidly
clopping against the sidewalk let him know she was on the move. “We
need at least three, but best go for five. . . locals, ok?”

She
hadn't raised her voice as she walked away, but he heard her just
fine. He always did, and he was grateful that she had never
questioned why. She had no clue those 'malformed' ears of his were as
acutely sensitive as they were.

Trotting
agilely to catch up, he then had to cut his normally long strides to
keep pace with her. It was well rehearsed, one of his steps to two of
hers, they had been working together like this for over a year.

Raising
the palm sized camera to his eye, he scanned the area, recording as
he did. There weren't that many people out. Usually the area was a
big pull for tourists and locals alike on the weekends, and the
sparseness of the crowd truly was disheartening.

He
didn't think that Ricky was solely responsible, not really. Sure, she
hadn't helped with her 'gloom and doom' approach to reporting the
recent crime wave. But, she had taken enough flak for that from the
brass. He considered how he should stop picking at her about it,
though in truth, that only lasted for about three seconds and in the
end he just grinned.

She
was just too damn much fun to pick on.

He
framed an attractive looking family strolling past the shops, and
zoomed in smoothly.

“10
o'clock, R.T. . .” he informed the reporter, “mom, pop. .
. couple of kiddos, one's on the old man's shoulders, pretty cute.”

She
glanced in the indicated direction, squinting to focus.

“Nix.
. . Tourists . . . Mickey ears on the girl, see?” she negated,
then pointed. “Find me locals.”

He
marked the 'footage' anyway with a press of his thumb on the side of
the cam, it would make a nice bit for stock, if nothing else. A
sudden familiar sense pulled at him, and accustomed to viewing the
world through his lens, he swung his scan off toward the bay. On a
bench near the rail there was a couple entirely too engrossed in each
other. At first it brought a smirk, until he realized that one of
them was a creature not unlike himself.

Zooming
in as the formidable lip lock broke, he focused closely on the face
of the man. He had seen it before in a clip from the opera opening
two nights before. So . . . this was Inudono's brother. The reporter
had suggested that he was the talk of the town, the most eligible
bachelor, etc, etc. ad nauseum. He hadn't realized that this
new 'celebrity' wasn't exactly . . . human.

He
had heard that the elder Inudono was a bit . . . strange. Reclusive.
Usually handling his philanthropic works through third parties and
such. It hadn't crossed his mind that the reason might be because
the guy might actually have something to hide.

Ted
understood that only too well. His choice to live and work in the
city had been a source of contention with his parents, who feared for
his well being as well as their own. His mother had gone into a
complete panic when he made the announcement that he wanted to attend
Brooks Institute, and his father had tried use logic and reasoning to
change his mind. But he found their mountain seclusion too limiting
while growing up, often venturing secretly into the small town near
their Mt. Hood sanctuary, to mix with the teenagers there. He found
humans fascinating, and discovered that his love for capturing them
on various photographic media was considered inspired within both
communities.

To
come into contact with one of his kind in the city was unusual at
best, but his guy was different somehow. It was almost like he was
mixed, a halfbreed . . . which was unheard of among his people. It
wasn't even known if it was genetically possible. And here the guy
was a celebrity no less. With a human girl on his arm? There was
something odd about her as well, something which he couldn't quite
put a finger on, but it set him on edge nonetheless.

“You
with me?” his partner had stopped. “Hey, Tard!”

“Get
a load of that . . .” still recording, he motioned for her with
his free hand, ignoring the barb. “He works fast, you think?
Wonder who the girl is . . .” as the couple moved to leave he
kept them in the frame.

“Who
are you talking about?” Joining him she followed his point of
focus, but it was too far for her to make them out.

“Its
the younger Inudono, and it appears he has some girl on a leash,”
he muttered as he smoothly panned and zoomed out to frame the couple
as they walked toward the street hand in hand.

“Oh
really, now . . . follow them!” She demanded. If he hadn't been
so busy doing just that he would have shaken his head. “It'll
make a nice little tidbit for the About Town segment . . . Yolanda
loves shit like this. Wonder if he'll do an interview . . .”
her face distorted slightly as she squinted at them then started
walking swiftly toward the couple.

Ted
lowered his cam for a moment, eying the pair. There was definitely
something about that girl . . . through the lens she was just
another girl, but catching her eye briefly as they passed he felt it.
An energy that was foreign to him, and oddly compelling. Curiosity,
and its extraordinary zoom capabilities, lured the camera back to his
eye.

Trotting
toward his partner, he resumed recording at a distance as she
approached the two of them. They were apparently preparing to mount
an imported motorcycle. As the guy handed off a rather large yellow
backpack to the girl, the reporter called to him.

“Caleb
Inudono?” He didn't respond immediately, fiddling with his
helmet. The girl touched his shoulder and nodded warily to the
rapidly approaching woman with the over sized microphone in her hand.

Ted
zoomed in to frame the group. R.T. was still squinting, and he
strafed to the side to get a back shot of her, knowing she would try
to decapitate him if she was left looking bad on the clip. At
least she's proud of her behind.

The
man's expression was open, almost pleasant until he spied the
approaching reporter. Ted noted a momentary hint of panic cross his
features before he scowled.

“What
the fuck do you want?” he asked tersely.

“Puppy.
. .” the now helmeted girl put a hand on his shoulder, and when
he glanced back at her she shook her head with a frown. She raised
the visor, and he could see her inspecting the reporter. Inudono
thinned his lips, and looked to R.T. for a response.

“KGO
news, just doing a little 'Sunday Night About Town' feature, you have
a minute?” Ted knew Ricky had flashed him her patented winning
smile, but it didn't look like he was buying it.

“I
ain't got nothin' to say,” he waved a hand, then glancing over
at the camera still some thirty feet away, he uttered what was
apparently a curse in some foreign language.

“Are
you ok?” the girl asked, moving closer to the reporter. Ted
glided easily around and saw that Ricky was blinking rapidly,
obviously fighting with her visual handicap.

“I'm
great! It's a lovely day for a ride, isn't it?” the reporter
covered, holding the microphone toward the girl. She moved past it
and reached out to toward Ricky.

For
a moment it felt like the world held it's breath.

“What
are you doing, Kagome?” demanded her partner, who then growled
at the reporter, “No interviews, damnit!”

While
continuing to scan the action, Ted's mind went into over drive. The
girl's hand started to glow slightly as she raised it and gently
touched Ricky's cheek. There was a strange, subsonic vibration in the
air that sent waves through his midsection and he zoomed in a little
closer, fully capturing the event. There was a gasp from the reporter
who then stepped back with a strangely awed expression.

“I
hope you feel better,” the girl offered with a genuinely sweet
smile, which with the helmet was the only thing that could be clearly
distinguished. “It's a beautiful day, I agree. We have to go
now.”

“How
did you do that? Who are you? What's your name?” came rapid
fire questions as Ricky regained her composure.

“Fuck
this . . . I said no interview, damnit!” Inudono
wrenched the microphone out of her hand and crushed it, watching as
the pieces dropped to the sidewalk. “Let's go, Koi.”

The
reporter gasped, then stepped back to worriedly examine her
demolished equipment.

The
girl then looked directly at the camera, her mouth in a small 'o'.
She apparently hadn't fully realized that they were being recorded at
the time. Ted lowered the palm cam, and raised a brow.

“I
think I just screwed up . . .” she muttered, not dropping her
scrutiny of him. She shook her head rapidly, then pointed, shouting.
“You won't show that, right?”

He
raised his hands, still palming the cam. He could feel her, and he
could feel her displeasure. It was the strangest sensation. He slowly
shook his head.

“Good!”
She smiled sweetly at him, then followed her partner who had already
mounted and started the motorcycle. She whispered something to him,
indiscernible over the sound of the engine, and Ted stepped back and
raised the camera again, capturing the guy as he switched to his
helmet and stuffed his hat into his jacket. They pulled off and raced
down the street, as Ricky started to pick up the pieces of her
microphone with an expression of disbelief.

“Did
you see that? He crumpled it like it was a candy wrapper!”
She blinked at him as he approached her. “And I can see you
. . . clearly!That girl . . . who the hell was she?”

“I've
got no clue, R.T.” he knelt beside her. “But I sure as
hell am going to find out.”

“How
much of that did you get?” she asked, standing.

“Pretty
much all of it, we need to get this to editing pronto . . .” he
patted his case which contained the actual recording unit. “I
want a closer look at this footage . . . and you need another mike
before we can finish this assignment.”

“Kagome.
He called her Kagome.” She dumped the pieces of twisted metal
that had been her microphone into his bag. “I suppose we can
send his brother the bill for this, huh?”

“Sure,
R.T., but right now we've got a deadline . . .” he reminded
her, and at her nod they both trotted back to the van.

~ooO0Ooo~

“Selene.
. .” His knock on her door was almost imperceptible it was so
light. He didn't want to wake her if she was sleeping, but he rather
doubted that she was. He could hear her television on with the volume
low.

What
she had said had cut him to the quick. It had been devastating. Her
description of his abilities, or lack thereof, sounded so profoundly
pathetic. And then the suggestion that he was delusional. . . had
hurt him more than that stupid sword could have, had Inudono used it.

The
look on her face had told all. She felt as though he had abandoned
her somehow, but. . . he hadn't. . . had he? She hadn't seen the
'experiment' at the retreat, she didn't know how effective his newly
discovered 'talent' could be.

Her
blind faith in Inudono was vexing. Even if he did prove to be
InuYasha, there was no guarantee that his intentions were as pure as
the girls assumed they were. Regardless of what he had said. Words. .
. nothing but words.

“Selene.
. . please. . .” he tried the knob and found the door locked.
“What do you want me to do?”

“I
want. . .” the sound of her tear filled voice clenched his
heart. “I need. . .”

“Sally.
. . baby, unlock the door. . .” he pleaded. At the whisper of
the lock being turned he quickly pushed the door open to find her
facing away arms crossed around her middle with her head down.
Wrapping his arms over hers from behind her, he held her tightly
breathing into her ear, “I haven't left you, I'm right here. .
.”

She
stiffened in his arms, then twisted her neck back toward him. There
was a hint of accusation on tear stained face. “You love her,
more than you love me. . . that's the point of all this, isn't it?”

“What?”
he shook his head not believing what he had just heard.

“You
are in love with Kagome, you always have been. . . I was just. . .
too stupid to see it. . .” her head dropped as her emotions
obviously warred between hurt and anger, she pulled away from him.
“That's why you can't stand Caleb. . . He's taking her away
from you.”

“No.
. . I. . . that's. . .” Michael's brow furrowed as he fought to
give her a coherent response. “Ridiculous! That's what it is,
how did you come up with this brilliant conclusion?”

“Christ,
Michael! It's only obvious!” Selene spat, pulling from him to
sit on the edge of her bed. “Why else would you act like you do
around Caleb? Kagome is my best friend. . . The best friend I have
ever had, Damnit!” Her face contorted with the confusion
in her mind. She took a deep breath, and he cautiously lowered
himself beside her.

“She's
my best friend too, you know . . .” he was careful to not make
any physical contact, he knew she would flinch away. “I worry
about her, I want the best for her . . . I want to take care of her,
keep her safe . . .”

“In
other words, you are in love with her.” She stated
flatly. “And you are jealous of Caleb's . . . no . . . no
damnit . . . no more pretense here . . . You are jealous of
InuYasha's invasion on your territory.” She took
another deep shuddering breath. “You have always been obsessive
about her, Mikey . . . I've tried to look the other way, I really
have . . . But I can't anymore.” She wasn't meeting his eyes as
she shook her head, and it was obvious she was fighting for emotional
control.

He
sat watching her, his heart aching at the torment she was going
through.

He
searched his mind for what he had done to cause her this much pain.

Yes,
he had been obsessive about Kagome, at least for the last week. The
reasons for that were pretty damn obvious.

His
mind drifted to when he first met her, and how refreshingly open,
sweet and innocent she was, in contrast to the arrogantly pampered
selfishness that was so common among university attendees. He had
been irretrievably drawn to her, sensing a kinship from the very
start.

But,
in love with her?

Something
about that would just be . . . wrong. He wasn't exactly certain why
it would be, but he had known from very early on in their friendship
that she could never be his.

“You
are wrong. There is only one woman with whom I intend to spend the
rest of my life, and that woman is you, Selene Rodriguez. I will
always care deeply about Kagome, I won't lie about that, but she
isn't my soul mate.” He reached for her hand. “I think
you two have the advantage, you both seem to have a better connection
to what was than I do,” he put an arm around her,
pressing his cheek against her shoulder.

“You
know enough, you talk about it enough. . .” she whispered.

“Most
of it is what I have been told, honey. . . The stuff with the kanji
is a fluke, really. I don't know why I know what I know . . . or
even what it is I do that makes it work.” He opened his right
palm, “Everyone talks about my hand, I don't 'remember'
anything about my hand, the kazzam thing or whatever . . . but, I
remember you. I remember how strong you were, and proud. . . I
remember how in love with you I was, how badly I wished we could just
settle down and have a family . . . and you know something? All that
is nothing . . . compared to how I feel about you right
now.”

“Then
why do I feel,” her words no more than a whisper, “like I
have to remind you that I am around half the time?”

“I
don't know, baby . . . but I will tell you this . . .” he
pulled her into his arms, “I do know it. And I know it only too
painfully well when you aren't . . . Those days at Ouna's were
torture, I missed you so much.”

“I
hated it that you were gone . . .” she finally allowed his arms
around her, and rested her head on his shoulder.

“What
can I do to make this right?” He asked her.

She
was silent for a few moments before she took a deep breath and backed
away to look into his eyes. He saw that a light of determination had
replaced the hollowness of defeat that had been there when he first
came into the room.

“Let
InuYasha be Kagome's hero. . .” her gaze intensified. “That's
all either of them wants. Instead, be my hero. . . God knows I
need one too, right now.”

“That
is something,” he kissed her softly, “I think I can do.”

“Call
Ouna, Mikey. Tell her the truth.” She pressed her cheek against
his. It sounded more like a request, but he knew in his heart it was
the right thing to do.

“I
will, right after I get back from the grocer. . . My dear Selene, may
I borrow your car?”

“What
are going to do, hit the deli?” she sniffed, and wiped at her
eyes with her hand.

“Nope.
It's Sunday and that means a 'sit down supper', and I already have
the menu planned.” He grinned sheepishly.

“Your
going to cook? You'll burn my kitchen down!” she gasped.

“Oh
ye of little faith . . .” he raised his chin boldly as he held
out his hand, “Keys . . . please?”

~ooO0Ooo~

A/N::
Thank you for the kind reviews, I am slowly but surely getting
through the rewrites and the material will be new, however at the
cost of slower updates . . . Gomen. I want to thank those who have
hung in there with me to this point!! More action coming up, and
eventually more citrus as well . . . and a rename I think is in the
works. This is entirely too long, and there is so much more to tell,
so possibly a sequel if there is interest. If not I wont post
it...lol ^-^ It doesn't mean I won't write it... I'm a gonner, stuck
in this AU... its so sad...

Metsuki
the warped one
- 36
- 37
- 38
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Finding Kagome