InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fall From Grace ❯ Chapter 9

Ch. 9



Kagome half-expected the vision standing before her to disappear, fade away like the ghostly apparition she was sure it was. But it didn’t. It was him.

Inuyasha.

She wanted to touch him, just to make sure he was real and not just a figment of her imagination. However, she hesitated, fear stopping her. Kagome was afraid that the minute she did, he would disappear…this time forever.

“Is it really you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. His eyes, those amber eyes she loved so much, flickered with just a hint of amusement. A small smile appeared on his lips. “What do you think?” He responded, brushing away the strands of hair that had fallen in her face. With a strangled cry, Kagome threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. A million questions that needed to be answered ran furiously through her head, but they could wait. Right now, all she wanted to do was feel him again.

“Whoa!” Inuyasha whispered, slightly taken aback by her sudden gesture. He wrapped his own arms around her tiny waist and pressed her close against him, breathing in her scent. He closed his eyes, his expression almost one of pain. He’d forgotten how much he missed holding her…just that simple contact was enough to put him at ease, make his world right.

“Inuyasha…Inuyasha…Inuyasha.” Kagome whispered over and over again, chanting his name like a prayer. She felt his strong arms tighten around her waist as if to reassure her that he wasn’t going to let her go. “So many times I’ve wished for this…so many times.” She said softly. Inuyasha hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. He looked down into her teary gray depths.

What did he say to her? How could he possibly explain his situation? Instead of saying anything, he brushed his thumb across her lower lip. Kagome closed her eyes, still in a state of wonderment. If this was a dream, she was going to take full advantage.

“Kiss me,” she said urgently, her eyes still closed.

“Kagome, I –” his sentence was cut off as Kagome brought his head down and pressed her lips firmly against his own. Inuyasha’s momentary surprise was forgotten as Kagome’s small body seemed to melt against his own. How could he have forgotten the softness of her lips, the delicious sweetness that was her own pure essence?

A slight saltiness tinged the kiss and Inuyasha opened his eyes. Tears glistened on her cheeks like diamonds and Inuyasha felt a pain in his chest worse than anything he’d ever experienced.

“Damnit,” he swore softly, pulling away slightly. Kagome’s eyes fluttered open.

“Inuyasha?” She asked hesitantly. She searched his face, still in shock that he was alive. Kagome wasn’t sure how this was even possible, but at that moment, she didn’t care.

She brought her hand up to cup his cheek. “Is this a dream?” She whispered. A small smile touched his lips as he shook his head. “If it is, then we’re both having the same one.”

Kagome laughed. Inuyasha placed his hand over the one covering his cheek. “I missed hearing your laugh, Kag.”

Kagome closed her eyes. “I missed everything about you, Inuyasha.” She leaned her head against his chest, breathing in his scent. He still smelled the same. Kagome suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, as if everything were right with the world again. She frowned when she felt Inuyasha tense.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, peering up at him. His gaze was settled on something behind her. She turned to look, but Inuyasha pulled her towards the idle Honda.

“Let’s go somewhere where we can talk,” he said abruptly. He opened the driver’s side door and gave her a gentle push. Kagome slid behind the wheel and watched as Inuyasha walked around to the passenger side. He opened the door and climbed in.

“Where do you want to go?” Kagome asked, slightly taken aback by his strange behavior. He was looking out the window, as if searching for something. After a few seconds, he turned to her.

“The old Mansfield Theater, is it still open?” He asked. Kagome nodded her head. “They’ve built a new theater since....” she let the sentence trail off. If felt weird, sitting here talking with her best friend who, incidentally, had been dead for the past year.

"Just drive." Inuyasha ordered, his gaze searching for something beyond the car window. Kagome wondered who or what he was searching the darkness for.

Once they arrived at the newly renovated Mansfield Theater, Kagome noticed Inuyasha became less tense. During the brief ride, he'd occasionally glance in the rearview mirror. Now he was looking out at the brightly lit structure in front of them.

"They did a nice job on the renovations," he commented. Kagome turned off the ignition and turned to look at him. She was still in shock that he was actually here sitting beside her, talking to her. He noticed her gaze and leaned back in his seat, his expression full of regret.

"I shouldn't have come back." He said softly, almost angrily. He leaned his head against the window, letting out a heavy sigh. "It was a mistake."

Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. After being apart for an entire year, this is how he really felt about seeing her again? "How can you say that?" She asked, trying to mask the hurt in her voice. Inuyasha glanced at her, realizing that she’d misunderstood him. He reached out and cupped her cheek. Her skin was as soft as silk and just being near her was driving his senses into overdrive. It was enough to almost make him want to throw caution to the wind and be with her forever. Almost.

"That's not what I mean, Kag." He told her. "Being able to see you, to hear your voice is all I've been dreaming about for the past year." Kagome could feel her heart pick up speed as Inuyasha leaned in closer to her, his gaze holding her captive. His bright amber orbs searched her face as if committing each detail to memory.

"This face has haunted me every day and night," he whispered as he gingerly stroked her cheek. Kagome couldn't help smiling, warmed by his simple words and touch. She wanted to be as close to him as possible for fear that he would leave again. She scooted towards him until their faces were mere inches apart.

"I still can't believe this is really happening," she whispered, running her hand through his hair, watching as the stark white strands slipped through her fingers. He closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers. "Do you remember the last time we were toge –”

"Yes." Kagome answered automatically. She would, could never forget. When he opened his eyes, Kagome clearly saw the pain that he’d been trying hard to hide.

“Inuyasha, what happened that night?” She asked, unable to remain in the dark. The events of that night had haunted her for a year and now that Inuyasha was obviously alive, she had to know. She had to know how this was possible.

"I'm so sorry, Kag." He murmured. Kagome's brow knit in confusion. "You're not the one who should be apologizing here, Inuyasha. I'm the one who should be apologizing."

This time it was Inuyasha's turn to look confused. He shook his head slightly. "You don't have anything to be sorry for. I'm the one who threw your life into turmoil." He kissed her forehead softly. "If I could take back everything I've put you through, I would."

Kagome's arms slipped around his neck as she pressed her lips to his. He returned the kiss with all the emotion he'd tucked away deep inside for the past year. Now he let it flow freely, wanting Kagome to know how much he'd missed her, how much he needed her now. Inuyasha let his hands trail up her arms before coming to rest on either side of her face.

Suddenly, a feeling of unease slithered up his spine. He abruptly ended the kiss, ignoring Kagome's look of surprise. He glanced out the window, his eyes narrowed to two tiny slits. Kagome followed his gaze, seeing nothing but an empty street.

"Inuyasha, what –”

He turned to her quickly. "I have to go."

Kagome shook her head, grabbing onto his jacket. "No, Inuyasha! I can't let you leave me again!" She insisted, tears building in her eyes. Inuyasha mentally cursed himself for causing her so much pain, but in order to protect her, it had to be done. He wiped away the tears that had slipped free. "I have to, Kagome. You don't understand what kind of danger I've put you in by being here with you."

"What danger? Tell me what happened to you, Inuyasha." She pleaded. So many questions were swirling through her mind, questions that needed answers now. Inuyasha shook his head. "I can't." He said forcefully. Kagome couldn't stop the tears even if she'd wanted to. With those words, it was as if a floodgate had been opened.

"I can't do this," she whispered brokenly. "To see you again only to lose you...I just can't do it."

Inuyasha pulled her into a fierce hug, his vision becoming blurry. He didn't want Kagome to see him with tears in his eyes. He didn't want her to see how hopeless their situation was. She clung to him desperately, burying her face against his shoulder. "Please don't leave me." She pleaded again. Inuyasha kissed the top of her head.

"Ok, Kag,"he responded, unable to resist her and his own heart. "Right now I have to leave, but I promise I'll see you again."

Kagome leaned away from him, a hint of panic in her misty orbs. "Why? When? Where?" Inuyasha ran the back of his hand across her cheek, trying to reassure her. "I don't know when, but I promise this won't be the last time we meet."

Before she could open her mouth to protest, Inuyasha brushed his lips against hers in a light kiss. "I promise." He said again before swiftly exiting the car. Kagome undid her seatbelt and hurriedly opened the door but he was already gone. Feeling numb, she slid back into the driver's seat, staring at where Inuyasha had just been. Had he really been there or had she wished so hard for this that she was willing to believe it was reality? Was it possible to want something so badly that you wished it into existence?

~~~~~~

"So based on our discussion today, is our existence real?"

Kagome lifted her gaze to the front of the classroom. Her attention had gone in and out of focus the entire class period, but hearing the last question had brought her out of her funk. Professor Myouga Kinashi looked out at the class over the top of his wire-rimmed glasses. After a few moments, he plucked a marker from his desk and began writing on the board.

"That is the question I want you all to ponder and answer for our next class. Please be prepared to discuss your views and opinions." There was a clamor of book bags rustling and chairs scraping as students prepared to leave. Kagome sat in her seat, lost in thought. She didn't notice that she was the only student left in the room until someone cleared their throat.

"Miss Higurashi, is there a problem?"

Kagome snapped to attention, looking to the front of the room. Professor Kinashi stood behind his desk, textbook in hand. Kagome quickly began gathering her belongings, embarrassed. "No, um, I'm sorry Professor."

He watched as she stuffed her notebook into her backpack before rising to her feet. "Miss Higurashi, can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked, beckoning to her. Kagome hesitated before making her way to his desk, dread filling her. She hoped he hadn't noticed her lack of participation in the discussion. Truth be told, she hadn't done much participating in any of her other classes, either.

Professor Kinashi took a seat on the edge of his desk and folded his hands in his lap. "Kagome, I've noticed that for the past couple of weeks you've seemed rather...uninterested in class lately. Am I to take offense to this or is it a pleasure that all your instructors are receiving?"

Although there was a slight smile on the elderly man's face, Kagome could see that he was concerned with her behavior. She could understand his concern; after all she'd always been an excellent student. Kagome was usually the first to ask questions and lead class discussions. Recently, she'd been withdrawn and listless, barely comprehending what was going on around her.

"Well, uh, there's been some things going on at home," she lied. How did she explain to her professor that her formerly dead best friend was now alive and well? He nodded his head slowly. "I understand that you may be having problems at home, but you really shouldn't let them interfere with your schoolwork. You're one of the brightest students I've ever had the pleasure to teach and I would hate to see all your hard work go down the drain."

Kagome ducked her head, his kind words making her feel even worse. "I know, Professor Kinashi." She responded. She turned to leave, but thought of something she wanted to ask him.

"Professor, I wanted to ask you about the question you assigned for homework. Do you believe that our existence is real?"

Professor Kinashi's face turned thoughtful. After a few seconds of contemplation, he spoke. "Being a teacher of philosophy, I believe that all possibilities must be explored. I neither put stock in nor discount the theory that this life and everything in it is merely an illusion.” He gave her a cryptic smile. “Does that answer your question, Ms. Higurashi?”

Kagome shook her head and laughed. “Yes and no.” She turned and left the classroom, the question still nagging at her.

~^~

Sesshomaru was so engrossed in his work that he didn’t hear his office door open.

“Busy at work as usual, eh, Sesshomaru?”

Sesshomaru looked up from his computer screen and nodded at the man standing just inside his door. “No one ever got anywhere in life by neglecting their work, Mr. Boyd.” He responded as he leaned back in his chair. He motioned for the older man to take a seat.

“Word through the grapevine is that the odds are good you’ll secure a victory regarding the Hallowell Corporation lawsuit.” Mr. Boyd took a seat facing Sesshomaru and folded his hands in his lap. Sesshomaru shrugged his shoulders. He knew that his odds were good, but one thing every attorney knew was that the courts could be tricky when it came time for a verdict.

Mr. Boyd shook his head in denial. “You’re too humble for your own good,” he commented. “You and I both know you’re the top attorney here. You’ve never lost a case and you’re sharp as a tack, which brings me to the reason why I’m here.”

Sesshomaru nodded, his curiosity piqued. There had been rumors flying around the office lately that the senior partners were looking to add a junior partner to the mix. Sesshomaru rarely listened to office gossip, but this bit of news was an opportunity waiting to be seized.

“There’s a client we’re trying to add to our roster, a real big-shot overseas. His business is worth 1.5 billion dollars and he’s looking to expand to the U.S. Problem is, his rivals here are trying to keep him out.”

Sesshomaru knew of the client Boyd was speaking of. A shrewd businessman by the name of Onigumo who was infamous for his unethical business tactics. His American rivals rallied against him for fear that he would create a monopoly.

“I want to send you to Tokyo next week to meet with Mr. Hitashi. You know the routine: wine ‘em and dine ‘em. Cater to his every whim until you secure him as a client. What do you say?”

Sesshomaru thought about it for a moment. If he declined, he could very well be passing up his chance to become a junior partner. On the other hand, there was…Kagome. He frowned. As of late, she’d been uncommunicative, keeping to herself. Sesshomaru was sure after their last talk that he’d managed to make some headway, but her recent behavior proved otherwise. If he left now, where would that leave the two of them?

“Well?” Mr. Boyd waited impatiently for Sesshomaru’s answer. With a sigh, Sesshomaru made up his mind.

“I can’t give you an immediate decision, Mr. Boyd. I need time to think it over.”

Mr. Boyd shrugged his shoulders and rose to his feet. “Fine, but I’m only allowing this because of your status here at Boyd & Cullen. Don’t keep me waiting, Sesshomaru.” He said, a hint of warning in his tone.

Once he was gone, Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. He’d just made a huge sacrifice for a woman he barely knew. He decided that when he got home that evening, Kagome had better damn well be ready to break her self-imposed silence.

~^~

With a frustrated sigh, Kagome threw her hands in the air. She’d been sitting at the computer for half an hour trying to answer one stupid little question. As hard as she’d tried to concentrate on the assignment, she found her thoughts drifting to Inuyasha.

“Where are you?” She asked aloud. Despite his promise, Inuyasha hadn’t come back to her. She was starting to believe that the whole encounter had taken place in her head.

“Why do I keep doing this to myself?”

Kagome would have started worrying about her tendency to talk to herself if she weren’t so angry at the moment. Here she was again, getting sucked into her own misery and anguish and for what? Her best friend who might or might not be dead? Well, she was through with being miserable. She was ready to move on and she hoped Sesshomaru was ready to make that move with her.

She rose to her feet quickly. Would he be ready? After the way she’d acted the last couple of weeks, she wouldn’t be surprised if he came home and told her to leave. She was sure he was fed up with her saying one thing and doing another.

“Starting now, I’m going to make things right,” she said as she made her way to the kitchen. She rummaged through the cabinets, searching for ingredients to whip up a quick meal. She wanted to show Sesshomaru that she really was ready to get on with her life.

As soon as Sesshomaru stepped foot in the house, an enticing smell assaulted his nose. He dropped his briefcase next to the door and hung his coat on the rack. He walked through the darkened living room and into the dining room, which was lit by two tall candles in the middle of the table.

Kagome walked in from the kitchen carrying two platefuls of spaghetti. She placed them on the table before turning to Sesshomaru with a shy smile.

“Welcome home.”

Sesshomaru couldn’t hide his surprise as he gestured towards the table. “What’s all this?” Kagome motioned for him to sit down. He continued to look at her as he slowly took a seat. Kagome hurried back in the kitchen before returning with a basket of garlic bread and a chilled bottle of wine.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I found this in the refrigerator and since it wasn’t opened, I figured we could have it with dinner.” Kagome knew she was speed talking, but she was too nervous to help it.

“I hope you like the spaghetti. Dorothy, that’s our cook, is always telling me that I tend to over season –”

“Kagome, stop.”

Kagome looked up at the sound of Sesshomaru’s voice. He was staring at her, the candlelight flickering off his sculptured features. She couldn’t tell if he was furious with her or pleased by the gesture. She folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to continue.

Sesshomaru watched Kagome fidget in her seat. He could tell how nervous she was and he had to admit that he liked watching her squirm. She deserves to suffer a little for shutting me out these past two weeks, he told himself. He also had to admit that the effort she’d put into the dinner was her way of making up for it.

“I appreciate what you’ve done tonight.” He said. Sesshomaru saw the relief wash over her features and was rewarded with a dazzling smile. He was struck by how beautiful she looked, her gray eyes sparkling with an emotion he hadn’t seen her display in a while. Happiness.

The rest of the dinner was spent talking about Sesshomaru’s cases and Kagome’s schoolwork. Once they were finished, Kagome cleared away the dishes and rejoined Sesshomaru at the table.

Looking at her over the top of his wine glass, Sesshomaru asked, “What exactly did all this mean tonight, Kagome?”

Kagome had known the question was coming; it was just a question of when. She took a deep breath and decided to face the music.

“I guess it means that I’m finally ready to move on with my life, to start over.” She said slowly. Sesshomaru set his glass on the table and cocked his head, still looking at her. “You guess or you know?” He asked softly. Kagome felt her pulse quicken as Sesshomaru slowly rose from his seat and approached her. She looked down at the table, her heart pounding a steady cadence in her chest.

Sesshomaru hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his own. His eyes were dark and mysterious and Kagome felt herself being pulled into their depths.

“Well?” He asked, bending down until his face was level with hers. Kagome gulped, taking the final plunge.

“I know.” She whispered, finding herself being pulled towards him like a moth to a flame. He gave her the barest hint of a smile before closing the distance between them and melding his lips with hers. She let her arms drift around his neck, urging him on. She was shedding the last piece of her resistance and giving in to her own needs. For once she was doing what would make her happy.

Outside, Inuyasha watched his brother kiss Kagome, her arms snaking up around his neck. He felt as if he were dying all over again. As much as he wanted to look away, he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from the scene taking place before him.

As he watched all this, his hands clenched into two tight fists by his side. Inuyasha didn’t notice that world around him bled red as his amber gaze turned crimson. He was immune to the dull pain of his canines elongating into razor-sharp fangs.

The only thing Inuyasha was aware of was the desire to rip Sesshomaru limb from limb.


a/n: I am sooo sorry it took me so long to update! I kno a lot of u probably gave up on me ever getting around to this story, but i didn’t want to disappoint the readers who really wanted to see where the story would go. thanks for the reviews and I promise to try to keep the updates to a minimum of a month…j/k! I will try to update as often as possible, tho!