The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Reassurance

Chapter 90 - The Reassurance *The Promise* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru led Kagome and her companions to the closest shelter he had in the area. It was rather similar to the Northern Lord's cabin, a place for him to get away and relax. His mother used the secondary residences more often than he did, whenever she felt that she needed a break, which was often, even though in reality she did very little. Thankfully she usually did not travel quite so far as this particular home, which made it one of his favorites, unsullied by the bitch's presence.

The taiyoukai had given everyone a quick tour before Kagome settled in to make their dinner. Sango and Miroku were relieved to have comfortable and safe shelter because each still had an arm in a sling from their battle the day before. Both had worried that if they were attacked again, they would be sitting ducks, which was definitely unnerving. They were thrilled when Sesshoumaru broke out the sake, deciding that celebration was definitely in order.

Inuyasha watched Kagome carefully, still wondering what suddenly had her down. He didn't know what she and Sesshoumaru had said while he was digging for the bag, but it was obvious something had upset her. She seemed detached, going through the motions without paying much attention, and after a while he decided enough was enough.

"Hey, wench," the hanyou muttered, standing by where she knelt in front of the fire. "Come here. I wanna talk to you."

Kagome looked up at him questioningly and then nodded her agreement. He helped her up and led her to the front door, where he handed the miko her jacket. She quickly slipped it on and followed him outside, while everyone else watched in confusion. Once they were alone, the hanyou turned to face her.

"What in the hell is your problem?" he asked, his concern overriding his usually gruff tone. "You should be happy."

The miko heaved a sigh. "It's nothing, Inuyasha. I'm fine."

"The hell you are. Now spill."

Kagome rolled her eyes but gave in. "He's been trapped outside his lands for a month and a half, lands that he's connected to. He's been missing that connection the whole time, and he looked for something to fill the hole. None of it is real."

"You seriously think that he fell in love with you because he missed his lands? Come fucking on, wench, don't be stupid. That has nothing to do with it."

"But the timing makes sense. He never had any interest in me before that happened. It explains everything. That's why he was suddenly attracted to me when he wasn't before."

Inuyasha couldn't help but laugh. "Absolutely nothing to do with it, I promise you."

Kagome's eyes widened at the conviction in Inuyasha's voice. "You promise? Wait, how can you promise that? Do you...? You know! You know when he fell for me and why!"

"No," he lied badly, but when she glared at him, he shrugged. "Fine, I know."

"Then tell me! That's what's been bothering me this whole time. If I knew when he had the chance to get to know me well enough to fall for me, I'd be so much more comfortable."

"I can't tell you, Kagome. If I did, and then explained why he didn't want you to know yet, you'd wish you'd never been told. I promise you that too. It's better you not know, at least for now. He'll tell you eventually, but you just have to trust me," Inuyasha said, trying to convince her not to attempt to extract the information from him. The girl could have been an interrogator in another life, as she could always drag whatever he tried to hide out of him. If she went after the information, he would eventually cave and ruin everything.

"I don't understand! Why can't I know? What difference does it make?"

"Exactly!" Inuyasha exclaimed. "What difference does it make? Just let it go. He fell for you. What does it matter when?"

"Because I want to know!" the miko yelled back.

The hanyou caught her shoulders and forced her to look into his eyes. "Listen to me, Kagome. Knowing will complicate things. It would make you confused, and you deserve better than that. It's not a bad secret. Nothing that he's trying to hide. If I thought it was something you needed to know, I'd tell you in a heartbeat, but I'm not telling you for your own sake. It'll all make sense when you do find out, but now isn't the time for that."

"Damn it, Inuyasha, how am I supposed to trust him and believe that he loves me if I have no idea what attracted him to me or when?"

"You're supposed to look into his eyes and know, and you've already done that. You know very well that he loves you. You're just looking for excuses to run and hide. I'm not going to let you do that, either! I know I hurt you. I know you're scared of getting hurt again, but you have to take a chance, or you'll never be happy. I could never forgive myself if what happened between us kept you from ever trying again. You deserve to be loved, Kagome." By the end, his voice was soft; almost a whisper, and he could see tears in her eyes. "Please, just try."

"You're sure being disconnected from his lands doesn't have anything to do with his feelings?" she asked.

"Guarantee it," Inuyasha replied.

"And you really think he loves me?"

"I know it."

"And none of this bothers you?"

"He's good for you, Kagome. Inu are loyal. He's chosen you, and he'll never want anyone else. He won't even look in another girl's direction. Even if you turn him down, he'll never choose someone else. He'll never betray you. I mean, think about it. I'm just a half-breed, and I couldn't let go of the one I chose, even though I knew I should. His instincts are a hundred times stronger than mine. He will never hurt you. He'll spend the rest of his life doing whatever it takes to make you happy."

The miko couldn't help but smile. Her hanyou friend was never one for a lot of words, so the fact that he was saying so much, going to so much trouble to help her get over her fears, proved just how serious he was.

"That's better. Now, why don't you go back inside and celebrate before he thinks he did something wrong," Inuyasha nudged. "Have some sake, flirt, whatever. Just stop pouting about something so stupid. He's reconnected now, but he still wants you. That should be proof enough."

Kagome took in several long, slow breaths while running everything through her mind once more. Could she really do what Inuyasha wanted and not worry when Sesshoumaru actually fell for her? Could she just let go of that question? Could she really open her heart and let the taiyoukai in? It certainly was tempting. After some thought, she decided that yes, she could. She was attracted to Sesshoumaru. She liked everything she had learned about him. She trusted him enough to have already decided to tell him her secret. She could definitely fall in love with him if she stopped fighting and simply allowed it to happen.