Deep Within Lies the Truth
Chapter one: Tainted Ramen
Inuyasha huffed as he marched towards Kaede's village, after about five sittings from Kagome he'd just laid there, thinking (Mostly about her). And how pretty she is, but that's beside the point, he was still mad at her.
The pleasant smell of ramen filled the air and his sour mood was soon replaced with a longing feeling for the delicious noodles and vegetables. Maybe Kagome made beef flavored this time? That would be nice!
Picking up his pace he made his way to the bamboo mat hanging in the doorway and flung it aside. He let a small smile grace his lips at seeing Kagome, before scowling at her and her stupidity.
Kagome and Kaede looked up from their position around the fire pit. Sango, Miroku, and Kirara had left to go investigate a shard rumor a few miles to the north, and Shippou was in the other room sleeping peacefully near the stove.
Kagome glared at him before flinging her nose up in the air and munching on her ramen as if it were nothing but dirt. Inuyasha growled and sat across the fire pit from her. He did not want to listen to the bitch lecture him today, especially since the warm smell of freshly cooked ramen was saturating the air. He felt his stomach grumble for food and he glared at Kagome. "Hey, Bitch, where's mine?"
Kagome glared at him with a cold and collected look, "Hm? Oh I'm sorry, were you talking to me?"
"Hell yeah, are you deaf, you're the only one in here, I'm looking right at you," he snarled as Kagome turned away, chewing on her ramen thoughtfully.
Finally, she turned to him with a glare that would kill a lesser demon, "Kaede's cooking it, now leave me alone."
Inuyasha's growl reached her ears, but she fought the urge not to flinch at the dangerously low volume of the noise and instead turned around with her back to him. If he was going to be a stubborn bastard, why couldn't she?
Before Inuyasha had stormed into her hut, Kaede had listened to Kagome's rants about how impossible Inu hanyou and had offered to cook the ramen for Kagome. Kagome, rather tired because she had been dragged into Feudal Japan at five in the morning, nodded and sat, so what if she was having ramen for breakfast, Kaede-Bachan was making it for her.
Kaede scanned the herbs on her selves, some dried, so drying, and others floating around in a clear liquid that wasn't water. Herbs of different sizes, shape, and colors. Kaede made a 'tsk'ing noise in the back of her throat as she choose three herbs and mashed them together, adding them to Inuyasha's ramen. Smiling a knowing smile, Kaede grabbed the futuristic cup of food and left her corner, glancing at Inuyasha and Kagome to see if they'd noticed. Luckily, both their backs were to her.
"Here you be, Inuyasha," Kaede said as she placed the ramen in the hanyou's hands. He nodded his thanks and began gobbling down the food. Kaede had to hide her wicked smile.
If all went well, Inuyasha would be her first test subject for her truth potion.
Kaede cackled and the two young residents turned their attention away from their ramen and stared at Kaede.
Inuyasha, who had by now eaten all the ramen raised an eyebrow, "Are you ok, Baba?"
"Yes, yes, I be fine thank ye for ye concern," Kaede said as she awaited a snappy remark from Inuyasha.
Inuyasha seemed to be battling with himself, his mouth opening before closing again, his claws flexed and then unflexed. His eyes flashing dangerously one moment before filling with concern the next.
Finally, he choked out, his voice strained, "It's nothing."
Kagome watched the internal struggle within Inuyasha and wondered why he was acting so weird. He closed his eyes, as if in deep thought before snapping them open and staring at her. Kagome sighed; Inuyasha was going to snap at her now, terrific.
But instead Inuyasha sighed deeply and looked at Kagome calmly, "Is something troubling you Kagome?"
Kagome stared in utter and complete shock at Inuyasha, who looked at her innocently enough, his eyes reflecting deep concern for her, instead of the usual annoyance.
Kagome shook her head stupidly.
Inuyasha sighed again and looked at her before standing up and leaving.
Kagome watched him go sadly, wondering what on earth had possessed Inu- yasha to do what he just did. Why hadn't he snapped at her like he always did? Was he sick?
Kagome decided she wanted to find out and stood up to follow Inuyasha. Gathering her courage she left Kaede's hut in search of the hanyou who held her heart.
Picking her way around village people, Kagome searched for a trace of red. Her eyes scanned the horizon, searching for that flash of silver, or the sound of the hanyou snarling at an offending demon. But the world was silent, except for the footsteps of the villagers; it was early in the morning, after all.
Totally forgetting that she was supposed to be mad at Inuyasha, Kagome walked towards the forest named after him, knowing he'd at least be there. She paused again, what if he was going to see Kikyo?
She fought that idea to the back of her head as she bravely moved her feet towards the god tree, the one place she knew the hanyou rested when he wanted to be alone, which was usually always.
Glancing up into the branches thick leaves, she searched for the red and silver that was Inuyasha. She sighed when she caught a sign of red dangling in the corner of loose twig.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called. "I know you're up there, please, come down?"
"Why?" came Inuyasha's answer.
"Because I want to talk to you," Kagome got no answer, "am I annoying you?"
"No," came his reply, distant and a slight twinge of embarrassment intertwined within his soft voice.
"Then why don't you want to talk to me?" Kagome called up to him, hating the distance between them.
"Because I'm embarrassed," Inuyasha said, jumping down from the tree, and sure enough, a slight pink tint stained his features as he stared at the ground.
Kagome watched as the hanyou gracefully landed in front of her, his eyes down cast as he turned away in embarrassment, 'so he really was!'
Kagome smiled softly, "you don't have to be embarrassed, Inuyasha."
"I know that, but," Inuyasha glanced at her, "I can't fight my feelings, though I try to."
Kagome was slightly thrown aside by his remark, it had been a long time since Inuyasha had been open with her, and it wasn't even to this extent, he was being so, honest! So honest it was weird, so unlike him.
Inuyasha and Kagome stood in an uncomfortable silence for some time until Inuyasha cleared his throat and Kagome looked up at him. "Kagome?"
"Yes, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked staring into his deep golden eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "for waking you up so early."
Kagome blinked, then smiled, "it's ok Inuyasha, I really don't mind, I mean, I was staying later than I was supposed to and-"
"No, Kagome, I should have woken you up, I know how you like to sleep until the sun is completely showing," Inuyasha whispered, his ears dropping in sadness, "I just really missed you."
"You did?" Kagome asked amazed by Inuyasha confession.
"Yes, I always miss you when you're gone," Inuyasha placed his hand on her cheek gingerly, as if afraid she'd slap him for adding the slight contact. Kagome felt herself smile brightly, touched by Inuyasha's apology.
For a jerk, he could always find the right things to say sometimes.
Inuyasha gently put his other hand on her other cheek and tipped her head up towards his, his golden orbs transfixed on her blue ones, "Kagome..."
Kagome felt her heart stop at the look in his eyes, so open, so caring. She saw things in there she'd only seen when he was confessing something very deep to her, something that he had to fight all his pride to let her know.
It was these kinds of moments that Kagome truly treasured.
It was times like these she understood why she loved Inuyasha so much.
That's why she nearly died and went to heaven when she felt his lips on hers. Her eyes shot open like someone had poured cold water over her head and stared in shock as the hanyou kissed her softly. He didn't do anything drastic, but there was definitely emotion behind the kiss, and his eyes were shut leisurely as he bathed himself in her sweet scent.
The rest of him was tense though, as if he was afraid she'd pull back and sit him. Kagome felt her eyes drifting shut as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Peering at Inuyasha's face, she noticed how al the wrinkles of worry had seemed erased and he looked like an innocent child. 'Deep down, he's just a shy, lonely boy...'She thought sadly.
Realizing it was rude to stare at people, especially when you're kissing someone, Kagome slammed her eyes shut and allowed herself to be carried away to the land of pure bliss. She felt her heart nearly explode when Inuyasha parted her lips with his tongue, tracing her teeth hesitantly until she opened her mouth all the way.
She felt a whole new sense of nirvana as Inuyasha's grip on her waist became apparent and the clawed fingers traced soft designs along her skin playfully, but sending trembles down her spine anyway.
She tightened her grip around his neck, pushing his lips to hers, hungry to taste more of him, to feel more of him, to be with him.
To her delight, Inuyasha hastily responded to her silent pleas and began to caress her tongue with his own, running his own up and down over hers, causing her to moan loudly against his mouth, which in turn, made him feel like grinning.
Finally, when Kagome's lungs felt like they would collapse, Inuyasha sadly pulled away from Kagome's puffy red lips, swollen from his intense kiss.
"Inuyasha..." Kagome gasped out, breathless but still craving for more of him. Still wanting more of him.
Inuyasha smirked and ran his fingers though his hair, leaning close to her ear; he whispered his hot breath into it, making her quiver, yet again, "Wow."
"Wow," Kagome agreed, her eyes widened by the fact Inuyasha was having that affect on her. His eyes were soft and caring as he continued to run his fingers through her thick black tresses.
Kagome looked up at him before placing her hands on his shoulders and, standing on her tip-toes, kissed him again, though this one was innocent and sweet compared to their first kiss shared together.
Kagome felt her knees give way from lack of oxygen as she collapsed to the ground; already knowing Inuyasha would be there to support her, and make sure she didn't hurt herself.
Sure enough, Inuyasha sat, cross-legged at the base of the God tree, placing Kagome lightly in his lap and folding his arms around her waist protectively as she leaned back into his strong chest, fully confident that he would protect her.
Inuyasha placed his head on her shoulder, his breathing hitting her neck, his hot breath causing her face to heat up with emotion and want. Snuggling as far into Inuyasha as physically possible, Kagome still craved to be closer, to be part of him.
And Inuyasha was thinking the same thing about her.
Kagome and Inuyasha sat in silence, just enjoying one another's company, and partly because they were both to lazy to get up anyway. Kagome sighed happily and leaned into Inuyasha's chiseled chest, which, surprisingly, was still comfortable and soft, despite the amount of muscles that rippled beneath his skin.
"Inuyasha?"
"Hm?" Inuyasha asked from his position on her shoulder, his eyes closed as he savored the smell of lavender with the hint of sakura, and of course, the sweet smell that made Kagome's scent unique.
"What do you think about me?" Kagome whispered, her head cocked to the side so Inuyasha could see her eyes.
Inuyasha sat up and slowly turned Kagome around so that he was facing her.
Leaning forward he swept his lips against her rosy ones and pulled back, staring at her with such an intense look, Kagome was sure he was looking right past her and into her soul.
"You're the most beautiful woman I have ever met," Inuyasha began, searching his mind for the perfect way to tell Kagome. "You're so smart, you can think under pressure, which is good. You're strong and brave, you never back down, and don't give up. You're caring; you worry for me even when I'm being a cold-hearted bastard. You're stubborn, like me, which makes our arguments all the more fun."
Kagome smiled shyly, a blush gracing her cheeks as she suddenly found the grass extremely interesting.
"You have a beautiful scent, whenever I smell it I can feel my spirits rising. You're so full of life; you can light up anyone's day. You're smile is breathtaking, I can't stand you frowning. You're laugh makes me feel like I don't have a care in the world. You're eyes. Oh you're eyes." He paused to stare into her eyes, "You're eyes are so beautiful, its scary."
Kagome felt herself blushing, but Inuyasha was yet to stop, "You cried over me, you...cared for me when I tried to push you away. But most of all, you trusted me. Even when we first met, you knew that I could kill you with one swipe of my claws, but you released me anyway, you put trust into a total stranger, something that'd never happened to me, not even Kikyo trusted me with such an intensity."
To say that Kagome wasn't blown away by that answer was like saying Miroku was gay and he'd been having a secret love affair with Shippou.
She stared in shock, her eyes the size of saucers as she looked at her hanyou. Never in her life has she ever guessed Inuyasha would answer with that strength, that passion.
But he wasn't done. "Kagome, you're perfect, there's nothing about you I don't like, I even like your faults, I love your flaws, though their barely flaws, they're what make you, well, you. I like every part of you."
He traced her jaw line with a clawed finger, "And I completely, totally, no doubt in my mind, am absolutely, whole-heartedly, out of my mind, head over heels." He paused again to stare at her before cracking a smile, "In love with you."
Kagome gasped loudly, her mouth opened to speak but nothing came out. Inuyasha didn't seem to mind as he leaned over and kissed her on the nose.
Whatever had happened to Inuyasha, Kagome didn't mind.
"Now," he said grinning, "What do you think about me, Kagome?"
Kagome sat in his lap, staring at him for a while. 'How am I supposed to tell him after all of that? That was...amazing! He's never been this open with me.'
Inuyasha grinned and kissed her lips playfully, Kagome blushed and kissed back before taking a deep breath and looked at her hanyou.
"Inuyasha?" she said hesitantly. Staring at him, there were so many things that she loved about her hanyou, so many things, if she were to list them all, she'd be there for a long time but she was sure that Inuyasha hadn't told her everything either.
Inuyasha's eyes saddened slightly, "Do I displease you, Kagome?"
"It's not that," Kagome whispered, tracing her fingers shyly around his jaw line, "I'm just a little overwhelmed, that's all."
Inuyasha nodded in understanding and sat in a comfortable silence.