Sneaking a Peek by SunsetMiko

An Unsteady Understanding

Chapter 49 - An Unsteady Understanding

This was written for Stella's Word Prompt Game, Prompt: Recrudesce  (v) To break out anew or come into renewed activity, as after a period of quiescence.

Inuyasha came back to consciousness with a groan. His head hurt and so did his face. Once glance at his group told him they all believed he deserved what happened to him and he sighed again. Why was everyone on the side of the taiyoukai? Why did they trust him? Just because they'd joined forces to defeat Naraku didn't make him a friend and it sure as hell shouldn't have made him a boyfriend!

Kagome shot him a small smile. She felt guilty over his injuries. Yes, he should have kept his mouth shut, but she understood his issues with her relationship with the taiyoukai. She wasn't even sure what attracted him to her in the first place. He'd explained that flirting with her was fun, something he'd never experienced before, but Inuyasha didn't know that. Besides, that didn't fully explain things anyway.

"You okay?" she asked, rising to go check on her friend. Yes, he was being a jerk, but he was still, and would always be, her friend.

"What do you care?" he asked, ignoring the pain that speaking caused him. His jaw was already beginning to heal, the bones pulling together. "Your 'boyfriend' did it. I didn't see you trying to stop him."

"Inuyasha," Kagome started, sitting beside the hanyou. "You were being an ass. I know this is hard for you. Hell, it's hard for me too. I don't understand it, but he likes me and , well, I like him too. You need to stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Think about it. If he wanted the jewel shards, he could have taken them by now, and what would he need them for anyway?"

On the other side of the clearing, Sesshoumaru smirked. Kagome recognized his strength, knew that he had no use for false power given by the Shikon jewel. He didn't, however, like the idea that she was confused by their relationship. Apparently they needed to sit down and discuss his attraction to her. If she couldn't see her own value, he would have to explain it to her. She was a prize unlike any other. She made his day brighter just by being there and he never wanted to lose the light she brought to his life.

"I don't know how you can flirt with him," Inuyasha said softly. "How can you call him your boyfriend? He tried to melt you!"

"And you tried to slice me in half. We've been over this. I'm a big girl and I'll be with whoever I want. I don't need you to protect me all the time."

The hanyou huffed but nodded. "Fine, but when he breaks your heart, don't come crying to me."

Sesshoumaru snarled softly. He would never break her heart and he resented the suggestion that he would. He wanted her forever. Sure, she didn't know that, as he knew she wasn't ready to hear the full strength of his feelings, but he intended to make her his mate. Perhaps he needed to have a man to man talk with his little brother.

"I won't, I promise," Kagome said with a grin.

"And don't expect me to watch the two of you suck face without being grossed out."

The miko couldn't help but laugh. "No one said you have to watch."