Wednesday, June 8, 2005

I’ll Be Watching You: A Quiet Interlude
*episode 4*

Inuyasha is sitting on the roof, thinking. Usually, he would have chosen a tree to sit in, but Kohaku and Kagura are using the only decent tree near the inn. Besides, he’s thinking about being on another roof with someone. Suddenly, his reprieve is broken by a sound. He turns behind him and sees that that someone, Kagome, is climbing off Kirara and onto the roof. He didn’t smell her sooner because there is a brisk night breeze blowing from the direction of the cherry tree in front of him, towards the hill behind him, outside of town. As Kagome walks to join him, Inuyasha vaguely wonders if the wind has something to do with Kagura. It doesn’t appear to be doing anything, but around a wind sorceress, who knows? Kirara goes back down as Kagome sits next to Inuyasha. She asks, “Whatcha doing?” He doesn’t say anything. She says, “Look, I just talked to Sango. She’s embarrassed about what happened between the two of you in the cave. I calmed her down, but I wanted to make sure you weren’t going through the same thing.” He says, “We’ve talked about this before. As long as it’s alright with you, let’s let it be.” Kagome gives a mischievous grin, “She sure is cuddly.” Inuyasha says, sarcastically, “I didn’t notice.” They both laugh. Kagome shivers; Inuyasha says, “If you’re cold, we should go inside.” She says, “No.” and leans against him. He asks, “You even cold or are you just looking for an excuse?” “It is chilly.” she says. “Then here.” he says, slipping off his outer shirt and putting it over her. In the process, he has to reach an arm around her. After a moment’s thought, he lowers it onto her shoulder. She snuggles into him and they sit there for several minutes. Eventually, Kagome says, “I feel sorry for Kagura. I’m sure you can relate to being looked at like that, like you’re a monster.” He says, “Ya, but it’s different for her. For one thing, she’s all demon. I’m just something that should never have existed. But her, they see her as being evil. On the other hand, after my mom died, I was pretty much on my own. This is really her first time among humans, Keade’s village doesn’t count because they’re use to weird stuff by now, she’s not alone.” Kagome says, “That’s right. She has you and me, and Sango really seems to have taken to her.” Inuyasha asks, “Aren’t you forgetting someone? Go take a look.” He gestures toward the edge of the roof before them. Kagome crawls to where she can look down. She sees a large tree. Next to the tree is a big stone on which are sitting Kagura and Kohaku. He has an arm half-way around her, resting on her back. Kagome heads back to Inuyasha’s warmth. She says, “They’re cute together.” Inuyasha asks, “You really don’t care, do you? You see a human and a demon enjoying being together and it doesn’t seem the least bit strange to you.” “What’s so weird about it?” she asks. “Granted, there was a time when just the idea of demons existing would have freaked me out. But I’ve met a lot of good demons. They aren’t all that different from humans really. I’m glad that those two are friends. Maybe when he gets older, they can be more than that.” Inuyasha looks glum. “We both know where that leads,” he says, “half-breeds.” The way Inuyasha says that word tells of deep scars in his own heart. Kagome asks, “What’s wrong with half-demons? I’ve met a bunch and they were all good people. There was Jinenji who was powerful, but he was also so gentle. Shiori was a sweet little girl who just wanted her mom to be safe. Then there’s that other one.” She brings her palm to his cheek. “He’s brave, caring,” her hand moves to the side of his head, “protective, passionate, and sometimes he can be a real jerk,” she smiles as she says it, to show that she’s not mad, “but you know,” her hand moves up till her fingers gently brush his ears, “I wouldn’t want him any other way.” She begins to softly rub his ears. His eyes close and the look of contentment on his face denies his words, “Kagome, I’ve told you before not to treat me like a dog.” She doesn’t stop, but she says, “I’m not treating you like a dog. You’re not a dog, and you’re not a human. You are you and these,” she gives a brief tug on one ear, “are a part of you. And you know what? I like them.” They sit together for quite awhile, under a waning moon.
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