15Inuyasha paced uneasily by the well, his gaze flitting nervously between it and the darkening sky.
"Damn, Kagome," he muttered under his breath. He closed his eyes to focus on her scent, which widened when he registered her spike of adrenaline. Inuyasha's hand landed on the lip of the well, ready to spring into action any moment. It could be anything, he reminded himself, excitement, stress and fear all smell the same. He planned to wait for a further sign- a demon scent, or blood. But just then the moonless night began.
"Damn," he cursed again, and he vaulted into the well.
"Hojo," Kagome giggled, squeezing his hand, "how did you manage to get this empty theater for us?"
"It's a secret," he teased, squeezing her hand back. As the movie rolled on, he shifted closer. "Would it be okay if I kiss you, Kagome?" he asked hesitantly. Kagome's breath hitched.
"Well, um-" she blushed, "It's just I've never been kissed before."
Suddenly a figure burst through the doorway. He looked from Kagome to her held hand and back again. He took half a step back, realizing his intrusion.
"Inu-" Kagome began, but was cut off when Hojo pulled her in and kissed her, giving the newcomer a possessive glare. Kagome froze fore an instant, confused, then pushed Hojo away angrily.
"Hojo, I- I- I never told you that was okay!" she sputtered. Turning, she addressed Inuyasha, "What are you doing here? Is something wrong-" Kagome started to ask when his figure started pulsing, pausing as she picked up on his enraged expression. "Have you found a way around the new… moon..?" Inuyasha's eyes snapped open as the transformation completed, glowing blood red. "Inu…yasha…?"
"I'm going to kill you!" he screamed at Hojo, speeding toward him with claws outstretched.
"Stop! Inuyasha!" Kagome cried frantically, pushing Hojo down just before Inuyasha's Blades of Blood could reach him. The strike flew overhead and decimated the wall behind them, throwing dust and rubble into the air. Inuyasha hardly paused; he turned sharply and prepared to administer a downward punch. Seeing Kagome in the way, he threw her to the side, raking his claws down her arm in the process.
"Ah!" she cried, watching him crack his knuckles, "Um, sit!" The rosary around Inuyasha's neck obediently brought him down with a whomp. The red left his eyes and his hair fell black.
"Ka-gome?" he coughed, voice cracking.
"Inuyasha!" she exclaimed, scooting next to him. Inuyasha's nose twitched.
"Kagome, you're bleeding!" he cried, grabbing her injured arm.
"It's nothing," she murmured, "You're back to normal now, that's all that matters." She pushed his hair behind his human ear, then paused, yanking softly on his earlobe. "Well, almost, anyway."
"Did I do that?" Inuyasha persisted softly, brushing his fingers over the wound.
"It's nothing," Kagome repeated, wincing.
"G-get away from her!" Hojo shouted suddenly, rushing forward and waving his arms. Inuyasha's eyes took on a faint red hue, and they were darkening by the second.
"Inuyasha! Look at me!" Kagome ordered, pulling his face around. The red faded.
"Hojo, you seen to incite the demon. Stay here, I'll bring Inuyasha back to the-" she faltered. "Back home."
Hojo stood frozen, staring as Kagome pulled Inuyasha to his feet. "This boy… is possessed by a demon every new moon?" Kagome exchanged a look with Inuyasha. He shrugged.
"You could say that," Kagome murmured, and walked out dragging Inuyasha by the hand.
They walked in silence for a while, and Inuyasha blushed as he dropped her hand.
Paying no mind, Kagome kept walking. "How am I supposed to live here anymore, Inuyasha?" she asked wistfully, "I have to lie to everyone."
"That's not my problem," he answered flippantly, waving her question away.
This was definitely not the proper answer. "You're so insensitive, Inuyasha! Don't you care at all about people's feelings? I was on a date!" Kagome accused.
"Hey! Your scent changed… I didn't know what it meant. I just- I wanted to… ah, just forget it, okay?" said Inuyasha, clenching his fist. Kagome cast a sideways glance at him, reproachful.
"Were you… Were you trying to protect me?"
"Humph! Who'd want to protect a girl like you?" he covered quickly.
Kagome sputtered briefly, but decided to ignore his comment. "I guess I couldn't expect you to understand," she sighed, "I have to lie to Hojo, my friends, teachers, strangers… It makes me feel so terrible! But they'd never believe me if I told them the truth!"
Inuyasha stopped and spun Kagome around. "You don't have to lie to me," he said, looking intently into her eyes. A he felt his fingers slip on her arm he looked down and saw the blood from her claw wound, and his expression changed.
"I'm sorry, Kagome," he whispered, then yelled, "I'm sorry!" and took off running, leaving Kagome standing stunned on the sidewalk.