Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Return Again
Knowing he was still brooding over the fire, Kagome sought for the splash of red in the trees. But, only when she thought to miko senses, did she find Inuyasha.
She knelt beside him before Kikyo's shrine, noting the armful of late-blooming bell-flowers, and ignoring the frisson of uncertainty. He smiled briefly, but his eyes were sad.
Silent patience was rewarded. "Is there something about me, that attracts reincarnations?"
Reincarnations, plural? "What do you mean?"
Inuyasha started to place the gathered flowers about the shrine, one at a time, placing each blue blossom and green stalk with care. "Hikari," he said, mentioning the girl who had died in the fire. "She wasn't afraid of me, ever. Always had a big smile when she saw me. Tried to get me to go flower-picking with Rin and some of the others several times." He paused in his arranging for a moment.
"Kaede didn't recognize her, but I did. Last time, she was Korana. Kikyo was out with a bunch of little kids. Saw me in a tree; asked me to come down. I refused. Next thing I know, Korana's asking me why I didn't want to play. She … I ended up helping her pick flowers."
Kagome laughed. The pain in his eyes sobered her. "What happened?"
"She died. When Naraku attacked the village disguised as me." Tears welled. "I saw the flames, the panic, and only laughed. I didn't care. I didn't know…"
"Oh, Inuyasha!" Kagome rose to her knees and wrapped her arm around him. "Don't blame yourself…"
He leaned back into her. "No. But … why did she come back? Why did she have to die so young, again?"
She tightened her grip. "I don't know why she died. But, why she came back … the souls that can see past the hanyo, that can see the strong, caring heart—perhaps that draws them back. They want to care for you, be with you, again and again."
"You really think so?"
Kagome clasped the hand reaching hers. "I came back, didn't I?"
Author's Note: This is the longer version of a drabble posted to the LiveJournal community "At First Tweak," for the prompt "Splash." It was originally posted on March 27, 2011.
This story follows Aftermath (see story list, since I still can't get a direct link to work.)