Time

A half century, he reflected, had vaporized in a mere second. His hopes, his dreams, his love... all lost to one fragment in time that took everything he'd held so dear. His love had been punished, his soul left screaming in the silence -the nothingness - that had consumed him. Hope had been banished from existence, love torn from his trembling claws as her face vanished behind eyes wet from betrayal.

Then he'd woke to another, her face as hauntingly familiar as she was different. Time escaped him as, once again, his life took hold, his heart reaching for the familiar taste of acceptance. Her smile brought friendship, her defense of his heritage forging a bond as irreversible as time. In weeks they'd built trust, in months, friendship, and a makeshift family as different as they were the same.

With every battle they grew closer, with every wound they shared heartache. He'd tried to spare her, had sent her home for her own protection only to have her return to him demanding - begging - that he allow her to stay. He smiled. Foolish girl; in the time she'd been gone he'd remembered the emptiness, the nothingness his life had been without her. Selfishly, he acquiesced, and again, time slipped by unnoticed.

Staring down at her sleeping face he wondered if he deserved her. Could he save her - protect her? Could he give her his heart as she had so freely given hers? Could he risk his soul, again, as she so trustingly bared hers? He resigned himself from his questions, his hearts answer confirming his suspicions.

Yes; he could protect her - because he wanted to. He could offer his soul because he trusted her.

And he could give her his heart... because she already owned it.


I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

Thanks to psychochick32 for editing this for me; she's a great friend and a wonderful beta.

This drabble was written for LJ's (First Tweak) #13 prompt, Yes, and was originally posted 12/20/2009.

Now I am off to finish the new one shot and Deserted's next chapter. I am hoping that with five days of uninterrupted laziness that I can actually produce a few readable chapters, lol.

Hope to hear from you guys soon!

Merry Christmas everyone!