Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, so how the hell can I make money off of this lowly piece of fanfiction?
Summary: Mini-fic series. Shippou/Kagome. Tragedy. "Your heart didn't want to continue beating. It was too weak. But I was weaker. I could only hold you in my arms and count the heartbeats you had left to live..."
Warnings: Angst. Character Death. Tragedy. Alternate pairing. Alternate Universe (I think). If I can think of anything else, you'll be the first to know.
Rating: T
Author's notes: I do the opposite with this fic. I start from Kagome's death, and write back through Shippou's memories of the last six months she had left to live. I somehow felt it would be richer... that way. I started crying writing this piece. It's going to be a shorter fic (like less than 10 chapters), and I'm thinking that the chapters might be shorter than usual too. Also, Shippou isn't the kid fox anymore either. In any case, the nature of their relationship will be explained, and no it's not a mother-son relationship. If that weirds you out, turn back now. You've stepped into my Alternate Universe of Doom (and tears).
Challenge: Shippou/Kagome (LiveJournal, 30moments) #24 satin sheets
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The Heartbeats You Had Left to Live
Prologue
388 words
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by Ainohimitsu on 6.13.09
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Never will I forget you, and all the memories past.—Avenged Sevenfold, Second Heartbeat
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Your body is getting colder in my arms. Death clings to your pale skin like the night clings to the moon. The ebon strands of your hair, damp with sweat, stick to your cheeks. I try to remove them gently, but to no avail. A sob is caught in my throat. It builds each time I try to wipe away the strand. It's frustrating! I can't do anything to save you. I can't even keep your hair out of your face so you're comfortable!
"Shippou…" You whisper, your hand strangely has the strength to cup my cheek.
Eager for your touch, I lean my cheek down into your palm and bring one of my own hands up to support the back of yours. A tear slips from my eye nearest to your hand, the drop landing on my hand and then yours.
"Don't cry, love…" Your dark eyes find my green gaze.
I see death's veil clouding your beautiful, deep eyes. The sob breaks from my throat, and two more tears drop against our entwined hands. A frown mars your paling lips.
"Shippou, you knew I didn't have much longer… please don't cry… these past six months…have been…the best…of my…life…" Your breath is becoming shallower.
"I know. They were the best of mine, too, Kagome. But it still hurts…to find you again and have you ripped away from me so quickly… it still hurts. I'm sorry…"
My heart will never recover, Kagome.
"I love you…" It's all you say when the strength leaves, first, from your hand and then the rest of your body.
Your light weight falls completely against me.
"I love you, too, Kagome…" I whisper to your departing spirit.
I fall back against our bed, your body falling with mine, the blue satin sheets beneath us echoing the ocean of sadness that pours from my soul.
My eyes lock on the ceiling, and they stay there.
My mind flies back to the first time I saw you since you left us through the well centuries ago.
It's been six months since that time. It was when I found you again after I was finally beginning to believe I'd never see you again. It was then...I learned that you hadn't much longer to live...
Your heart didn't want to continue beating. It was too weak. But I was weaker. I could only hold you in my arms and count the heartbeats you had left to live...
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To be continued…