Fireflies Flickering Fade

~Chapter One ~

Entrancing Sparks Amongst Submerged Coals

By Inuyashas Youkai

' Time Apart can be almost as cruel as a love unrequited when such is unknowing or unpredictable'

The group of a odd shadows settled amongst the hidden surroundings within the dark, only the pale orb placed high into the nighttime expanse, speckled with blinking precious stones ,provided the only subtle glow ,and to join the dying flames supplying warmth to them. Within the dark laying against the harsh soil huddled close to advert some of the coming chill following the fall of the transforming and briitle leaves fallen to the gusts of winds swiftly tragic advancements against the tossed branches. All but one possesing twin orbs mirroring the moons pale amber as though its vision was a exact replica staring back at you while looking at the rippling waters instead of ones eyes.

Overlooking the covered grounds with natures blaket of settling hues of night as though the darkness within it provided no barriers against exceptional sight , and no different from the ability with the coming suns awakening . Carrying a suspecting glance in no planned direction to insure in the provided temporary security within the new place of stay for the moment while they recovered after the moon took it's place during their travels. Breathing a heartfelt by staggered sigh the male species keeping watch with a leery stare and its cannine dog ears swiveling with the slightest of hushed sounds, the entity submitted finally to slumbers lure just before Dawn, and without the knowledge of a intense gaze stroking his features.

Noticing the form camouflaged form within the bunched branches of unfallen leaves untouched yet by natures force in warning of harsher weather incoming, the gazing eyes ensnared by his peaceful sight sighed in contentment. Shaking out inky locks from her body's chosen cocoon encasement and slipping out from the enflamed wrappings against her once heated flesh ,warring against the biting winds. Now standing, with her hands wrapped securely around herself , while staring out into the distance ,enlightened melted chocolate took in each of her companions one by one as memories flooded her mind of how each one came into her life to touch her soul ,and as much as they claim she had theirs. A noise interrupted her musings as a prolonged crushing upon the now dead brush laying abandoned against the ground reminding of the life the growth once represented.

Turning towards the abrupt sounds of another coming forth into her welcomed silence caught another mirrored image within her guarded eyes . Taking one step backwards as her bow found her now shaking fingers as they found their place amongst the the silkened ties connecting to the smooth bamboo, and tightened when the arrow length pulled taunt against it. A calculating smirk returned towards the awaiting imitation in response to her copy's actions with her acknowledged presence but the waiting stood strong against their groups silent intruder.

Kagome stood stiffly frozen to gauge the intentions of the past incarnation meeting her eyes of brown with a strain of caution when regarding the one who carried her friend and her loves heart within the palm of her hand ,and only for her to crush it when the moment presented itself. This herself Kagome knew of Kikyo's intentions , but she also knew that regardless of what was true at this time with the hanyou so lost within her minstrations to keep him close , nothing would come between them .Subbornly ,not if the past 's proof had to do with it Inuyasha would never believe or let go of his lost love , and now among the living dead. So the young born miko ripped from her time to join a fight not of her time or cause but only for the ones she grew to care for stayed silent because of that love for him she would let him go.

The soul collectors slithering this way and that only to support the neccessities of their master's existing, pulled lingering souls inching towards peace in passing to join the withering one before cold and unfeeling words were spoken towards the opposite. Although before a word was uttered from the pursed lips of unspoken hatred another carrying two auras of pulsing shards of the sought jewel centered within their journey became known. The muscular presence stood straight behind the now shivering female as if it wasn't for the presence she felt of the shards a attempt to scream would follow if the shock wasn't supplies amongst it. Catching her breath as the males's wolf -like outline became only evident without the sufficient amount of lighting and was supported by the dark languid tones lightly brusing passed her earlobes , before standing to protect hiding her form behind him.

Cursing in a muffled huff the unwelcome threat turned to leave until the older miko could once again meet with the hanyou at a different time and leaving the two annoyances be from her sight at the moment. It was then that the two remaining regarded each other once more after tearing their sights from the retreating figure fading into the distance. While silently speaking in hushed whispers not to wake the others , the two walked aways from the groups chosen site to enable them to talk freely about what was just encountered. A little shaken , Kagome led them to a nearbye overhang that overlooked the setting of where the others where still captured by deep slumber before much was spoken.

" Kagome are you sure you are alright you shaking like a leaf and I doubt it's just the cold." Kouga spoke thickly into her hair while holding her from behind

" I 'll be okay but thank you for your concern what you see will soon subside .Kouga may I ask you someth" Kagome begun before Kouga quickly interupted

" Kagome , don't lie to me , be honest what's happening to you ? I never seen you like this and I don't like it ..Are you sick and what do you mean its only for a short time ? Has this happened before and if so what's causing it ? I will answer anything you wish my mate but you have to give me something first.." Kouga amended

" Oh Kouga " Kagome sighed beforretaking in his concernedyes staring worriedly into hers before continuing " I know and yes it has happened before but only recently I swear . Though I don't know if it could be helped it happens everytime I am in Kikyo's presence , and unfortunately I think I know why too. I think I can do this knowing by doing it will make Inuyasha happy , and he can have Kikyo back with him after Naraku is gone. It's just now , because my soul has submitted to my decision its hard not to fall towards the pull of hers ."

" You don't mean you would ... NO Kagome I forbid it ! Does the mutt know ? Probaly huh? I know you love him Kagome but has he once thought of you without expecting something in return that doesn't have to do with Kikyo or that damn jewel of yours that you are forced to find even though none of this has to do with you...No ! Then again I don't think I need to tell you that do I ? I don't care Kagomew what your reasoning is but we will find another way and then you will be free to let him go and let me take care of you ! The wolf pleaded

" Kouga please not now , just take me somewhere to rest and then we will talk about it , I promise. I feel so sleepy and I don't think I can stay awa.." Kagome said weakely before falling into the wolfs awaiting arms to catch her , unconscious.

The wolf securely held the beloved unrequited love within his arms knowingly of her decision for his rival but this was unacceptable even to his standards and he was particularly bold with his claims for Kagome. Carrying her back to the camp only to quickly scraw a short note letting the others where she had gone and not to worry before taking her back to his den to care for her. Though before making it outside of the camps perimeter the pair were adverted from their path by a expected but unwanted hanyou curious as to why the wolf had Kagome , and worried slightly to her present state.

" Heya there fleebag and where do you think you are you going with Kagome no less.. I thought I told you to keep your hands off of her, and speaking of which , what have you done with her ya bastard! I wouldn't think you would be so low to force her to mate while unconscious would ya?" Inuyasha snarled

" Hey Mutt , as it would be a pleasure as seeing your face when Kagome accepts my claim as her mate be golden but her condition isn't my doing .. I assure you I only walked in before any more damage could be inflicted on her , and now doing what she herself asked me to do .. I will bring her back as soon as she is ready for a return trip. " Kouga smirked

" What the hell are you talking about ? Did something attack her ? I won't allow you to take her until you tell me what happened dammit!"

" Muttface I don't have time for this ! I have to get her to safety and let her recover some afterwards..Besides it's not my place to say to you what has happened , only Kagome can do that for you when she has awakened .. Although you probaly won't believe it if she told ya anyways so why don't you let her go and go back with Kikyo I gotta go now , excuse me" Kouga stated before both him and Kagome were whisked inside a cyclone tearing up the soil around them before the hanyou could say another word diasppearing from his sight

" But wait... Kagome .." Inuyasha whispered as hs eyes followed the trail of dust traveling with the rising sun

As Kagome unconsciously aware of the goings on around her , the felt presence of a familar hanyou brought forth some personal memories in the for front of her mind unwillingly. Images of untold circumstances and of things unknown between them but to them . Flashes of light flickering behind closed eyelids as each picture blurred into focus before fading away into nothing as her body further gave way to its own weakeness. The tossling movement placed with being in Kouga's arms while at great speeds went unnnoticed by the girl being carried away . Kagome was too taken with the thoughts of being held and treasured in a way and in exchange for her deeply ingrained to be loved by the hanyou she loved herself.

After the elder priestess discovered the reaon behind the growing reluctance unknown to her said incarnation with the hanyou, Kikyo became enraged , and began to use harsher tactics unkown to the hanyou. It was belived that Inuyasha had wanted this as well through trickery by the older priestess Kikyo , and with never told otherwise, Kagome found it easy to believe their closeness was due to her stepping in until it was time for Kikyo to once again breath life once more ,as Kagome would provide when the time was right with her own life. The exact details were still unknown to the wolf but while watching her sleep , Kouga gathered as much as her voice carried over in hushed muffles of what was to come , and what had already been.

Unfortunately for Inuyasha , it was the last time he saw Kagome again from that point , at least for a time to come. For somehow the wolf, Kouga would ensure that no harm would come to girl who he had become so taken with himself, and no matter what the cost she would be safe.. Even if his sought unrequited mate had to disappear for good, as long as she was safe was all that mattered. Although with shock , something caught within the smallest trace of her scent hinting at another reason for her to be taken away never to return, confirmed by an echo of a heartbeat ,lingering within the chest of a unclaimed mate, and that was snuggled within his.

" Kagome..."

TBC...