Count to Three by Taint

Count to Three

A/N

Something I dug out of my fanfictions folders.

She knows she should be content and comfortable and warm in Inuyasha's embrace, but she feels bitter instead.

She feels waves upon waves of his body-heat wash upon her, but cannot help but feel cold; like a chilling breeze after a swim in a pool. She shivers, and he notices.

He pulls away, exposing her frail, human body to the coldness of the night air, covered skimpily by her spring-time school uniform. He looks down, deep into her blue-gray eyes and tries to understand her discomfort, but inside she refuses to let him see.

Inuyasha sees nothing but swirls and oceans and skies of blue; he leaves her.

She sits in the dirt by herself, digging up all of her past sins and regrets and many, many wrongs. Kagome finds herself losing inside the maze she shoveled for herself, and cannot help but give up the hope of getting out. She cries.

Ugly, sore sobs wrenches from her beautiful throat, but no one is there to hear. She knows this, so continues to weep.

Then she hears a voice; a light, happy tone that sounds like the bells of heaven to her ears. She looks up with a swift movement, whipping toward the source so quick her tears splatters and flies.

"I'll count to three," it says, "and we're going to forget all of our troubles."

She glances to look into light that is neither blinding or bright. Kagome stares with lost wonder as a slender arm reaches out to grab her hands, gently but firmly pulling her petite frame up and supporting her carefully until she was able to stand on her own.

"Are you ready?" Unsure, Kagome nods anyways, despite her protesting instincts. "One."

She feels herself ascending into warmth, and smiles happily as sweet memories enveloped her. She sees her caring mother greeting her with open arms into the home she neglects, her brother pulling her towards the television for a try at his newest game, her grandfather sitting her down and contenting her heart with absurd fairytales.

"Two."

Kagome invisions Inuyasha holding her close to his chest for their first slow dance, calming music slithering through the mini CD player that ran on batteries, watching the beautiful night under the cool watch of the moon, wishing upon stars whom lost their way in its own nexus.

"Three." And then she feels cold; finds herself unable to hold her eyes open, letting her lids drop heavily against her cheeks.

Small, warm arms slithers itself around her frame suddenly, and she uses the last of her strength to open her eyes. Kagome stares into worried, chocolate-colored eyes of a little bare-footed girl.

"Three," she hears herself repeating until she closes her eyes once again, letting her mind drift.

The two strangers sat upon a large chair-like stone, in a clearing surrounded by perfect lush scenery. The full moon shone starkly above their heads; watching with an intent gaze at the couple.

"Why did you do it?" she found herself asking, "I mean, was Rin's every request so important to you?"

"Yes," he answered without any hint of hesitation, but she felt a pang of disappointment running up her spine to wrap tightly around her heart. She pushed it away roughly, though, reminding herself of the matter at hand.

"You did it because of her, then?"

"Yes."

She fumbled nervously, wracking her brain for an idea on what to say next.

"Well, uh, thanks for trying."

How lame.

He nodded. She found herself in a reverie at the awkwardness of it all. The rustling of leaves penetrated her mind, and she hated every second of silence between them. "Can I ask you one last question?"

She saw him nod once again in her peripheral vision, and wondered how she should word her inquiry.

"Why did you give up your life for me?"

She watched him carefully as he shifted on his feet, seemingly careless of her question; but she knew he was hesitating.

"Because," he finally answered, and she held her breath, afraid to break the spell of the moment. "I was tired of living."

She smiled despite herself.

"Let's go through this together," she suggested, boldly reaching out to clutch his clawed hands and stiffling her giggle at his surprised raise of perfect brows, "I'll count to three."

End

Confusing?

Review and I'll think about making a small chapter-story out of the idea.