Author's Note: Hey, everyone! How is everyone feeling? Well, I'm good and that's why I'm updating! Actually, I would've updated sooner, had my PC been co-operating with me. -smacks PC- Very bad! Oh, and I went to U.S. Of A to see family! Anyways, here's chapter three of Sanctuary of Broken Dreams! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: InuYasha and Co. belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. " Tori no Uta" belongs to Lia. " Rakuen" belongs to Do As Infinity. Any other characters are created by me and you must have permission to use them. If any events in the story seem similar it's purely coincidental.
Title: Sanctuary of Broken Dreams
Chapter Three: Home, Sweet Home
Kaede was glowing with glee. Her granddaughter had visited her, even from beyond the grave. She looked down at the raven-haired girl and noticed how sudden she had become limp. Holding her around the waist with one arm, she used the other to inspect her face. Her eyes were closed. Kagome had fainted. She looked towards the mysterious silver-haired boy.
"Would ye please help me bring Kagome in? Looks to me, she has fainted," she said to him in a worried tone.
InuYasha turned to her quickly and picked up Kagome. 'And she looks to be weaker than before,' he thought.
"Will she be alright?" he asked in a similar tone.
The old woman smiled and responded,"If that is the same stubborn child I knew and loved, she'll be fine."
Both of them entered the house, and Kaede closed the door. InuYasha's nose was overwhelmed. There were intense smells of herbs, everywhere! He smelled fresh mints, hot spices that tickled his nose, and a sweet, sugary scent that he couldn't name.
"Please come in. No need to feel uncomfortable. If Kagome trusts ye, then I too, shall. Before ye come in the living room, take off ye shoes, thanks," the old woman told him from the kitchen. The kitchen? A few minutes ago, she'd been beside him! 'Well, old age hasn't slowed her down,' he remarked silently.
He was about to go into the living room, when a familiar scent hit his nose. Dried blood. Dried blood! How could he have forgotten that Kagome and himself were covered in it! Man, those herbs were doing a number on him. Clearing his throat, InuYasha called to Kaede.
"Um...excuse Mrs. Kaede...? We are kind of..." he started to say.
"Oh, my! I didn't even notice the blood! I was just so taken by surprise! Look at ye! Covered in blood! Excuse my manners! Hear, pass me Kagome. Ye just go upstairs and get cleaned up," she told him, directing him in the direction of the stairway.
"Thanks."
He followed her directions, but he relied more on his nose. After all, he wasn't half-dog for nothing.
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She watched him as he ascended up the stairs. At the say time, she felt Kagome squirm in her eyes. Glancing at her, she saw her eyes open. "Kaede?" she asked in a whisper.
She smiled. "Can ye stand?"
Kagome blinked a couple of times,and finally said,"I'm pretty sure."
"Good," the grey-haired woman said as Kagome stood up. "Ye, must be so weak. I can feel your spiritual powers diminishing," she told the young girl.
"I know. By any chance, is the Holy Waters still running?" she asked, hopefully.
"You're in luck. It is. And you better get there if you plan on surviving this little trip from Heaven," she advised her.
"Okay, but I'm gonna need a change of clothes,'cause I can't wear this. The stains will come out, but I'll be suspicious, and I don't want to have to be invisible for my-" she started, until Kaede shushed her.
"I understand. Come with me,upstairs. I'll give something, besides I have to change,too. Ye blood is all over me and it's not heavenly,at all," she told her smiling at her joke.
"Ha, ha. Grandma, enough with the jokes, or I'll tell God you're harassing one of his angels," Kagome said, tauntingly, as she ascended ahead of her, up the stairs.
"That's not fair. Ye have already passed and made it. Don't ruin my chances," Kaede mumbled, pouted like a child, as she followed her blackmailing granddaughter.
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InuYasha sat along the edge of the shiny, white bathtub, scrubbing the front of his navy blue parka with a green,soft-bristled brush he had found when he looked in the golden-brown cupboards below the sink. Luckily, his grey, fleece sweater hadn't been stained and miraculously, neither had his baggy,light blue cargo pants.
He examined the bathroom, as he continuously scrubbed his parka. The bathroom was a good size. As soon as he had entered, he noticed how the room smelled of fresh mint and sweet vanilla. It was so pleasant that he had stood at the doorway, for a few minutes, inhaling it. He then noticed, the moonlight coming through a small, rectangular window above the bathtub. He flicked on the lights and took in the beauty of the room. To his left was the sink. It reached just below his waist and was about two people wide. The golden-brown color of it was quite unusual. The workmanship was amazing! He saw the imprints of vanilla flowers and mint leaves on the doors of the cupboard below the sink. The sink itself was white and surrounded by regular bathroom items: containers of soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, and other accessories. There was a oval mirror above it surrounded by dried vanilla flowers and mint leaves. A white toilet beside it. On his right, was the tub. A white curtain with silver floral designs hid it. In front of him, was a small,tall closet the same wood like the cupboards, and even the same designs. Finally, to top off his astonishment, there were lace white rugs on the light, brown wood floor.
"Wow," was he had said. If you had seen it, you wouldn't be able to ring up a 4-lettered word to describe it.
His ears tweaked as he heard gentle, slow footsteps up the stairs. Could Kagome have already woken up? He was bound to find out, hopefully, since the bathroom was closer to the center of the hallway. In the center of the hallway, were the stairways. Using his noise, he smelled the old lady, and...Kagome! His ears seemed to perk up with joy!
Not that he liked her or nothing. He seemed to get pink at thought, though.
At the same time, Kagome and Kaede had reached the top, Kagome saw the familiar bathroom door. It was open. Pointing, at the door, she whispered, "I'll be back. Meet you in your room. I just want to see him." Kaede nodded in response and they both went their separate ways.
She tip-toed towards the door and peaked. There, kneeling before her was InuYasha, scrubbing a way at his jacket. Squeezing past the door, she was just about to scare him when-
"I know you're there, Kagome. So, don't bother," he said to the unseen person behind him. He heard a "humph" and knew he hit the mark.
"You take the fun out of everything, dog-boy," she said coming from behind. He glanced up at her, to see her pouting. She looked so cute. He shook his head. What was he thinking!
He smiled, and responded,"Is it my fault I have these adorable ears, atop my head from birth?"
Kagome said, giggling," No, but it's your fault for using them!"
He looked at her,mockingly."Well, you have ears, and no one tells you not to use them!"
She was cornered, now. He had a point. She sighed, heavily. "You win, this dog-boy," she said. "But, I'll get you."
He smiled. Victory was sweet. "Sure, whatever you say."
She yawned. She had to go, she didn't want to faint, again. "Well, I'm off. Enjoy, your scrubbing, Yasha," she said, laughing as she left the room.
As she left, he wondered, who really won just now.
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Kagome fled the bathroom and skipped to Kaede's at the end of the hall. She slowed her pace, as she looked at the light blue walls,that were so familiar, covered in photos and pictures. Just before she reached Kaede's room, she stopped. There on her left, was a photograph in a gold frame. In it, was a family of four. She saw a woman, with short brown-black hair,her brown eyes smiling back at her. Standing in front of her, was a small boy. His features were similar to the woman. Brown-black hair and smiling hazel eyes. Beside the boy, was a teenage girl. She had long blue-black hair, but had the same happy eyes, only hers were grey-blue. Behind her, was a tall,sturdy man. He had short, choppy blue-black hair like the girl's, and steel-grey eyes. They, too, were smiling.
If people saw this picture, they'd think the family were one of those in fairy tales. Kagome's grey-blue orbs were swimming in tears, unlike those eyes in the picture, hers glistened with sadness and pain.
She knew.
Unlike, those people who'd see this and admire, she knew.
This family didn't get a fairy tale ending.
They got a nightmare.
"Kagome, are ye coming?" Kaede's voice was soft and gentle, as she voiced the question.
Kagome wiped her eyes of the unshed tears. Placing a smile on her face, she turned to the door.
"I'm coming."
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"Aaa, finally."
InuYasha had finished the parka. Who knows how long, he'd been doing this. He looked up at the window. The moonlight was brighter, which meant it was later. Resting his jacket on a hanger, he'd found in the cupboard, he hung it in the bathroom to dry.
He walked out of the bathroom and down the wall, glancing at the pictures of people. There was only one familiar face he saw. Kagome's. It was pretty easy. The girl hadn't drastically, changed, and those shiny, steel-blue eyes seemed to be looking right through him, just like the live owner did. Even, even in a photo, her beauty was extraordinary.
Coming to the end of the hall, he noticed the door to the room was open. He smelled Kaede's scent coming from the room, and cautiously opened it. Kaede lay on the green bed, sleeping. He didn't want to disturb her. He had wanted to ask where Kagome was, but luckily her scent was mingled in with Kaede's. Leaving the room, he sniffed.
"Well, like Fruit Loop Sam said,'Follow your nose!'"
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He did just that. He followed her scent all the way down the stairs and outside. The scent then led him around the house. It was a beautiful.
The tall evergreens loomed around the house and him in a circle. The moonlight shone and the trees seemed to glow, ghastly. Glowing, the trees almost appeared to be spirits. That's when he realized, it had just snowed. Not hard,but sprinkling.So the moon illuminated the snowflakes on the leaves. It was a cool sight. He then, noticed there was an opening at the far end. It looked like a hidden entrance and only those with keen eyes would've caught it. All the trees seemed alike, but there were two that seemed more apart than the rest of the crowded ones. It was right here that Kagome's scent lead to. He sprinted over there, quickly.
'Why would she be there?' he wondered.
He reached the opening and stopped in his tracks. There was another reason the trees were glowing. A blue-white barrier stretched behind the trees. "A barrier?" he asked himself, still surprised.
The silver-haired boy was worried. What if he was repelled by the barrier? Believe me, those hurt like hell! He'd happen to him once as a child.
Damn.
Should he chance it?
Damn.
What the hell!
He charged the barrier...only to fall flat on his face on the other side.
Ouch.
Getting up, he brushed himself off. 'Note to Self: Don't charge barriers. It hurts when you feel the impact,' he thought.
Continuing his search, he continued to look for Kagome. He couldn't help see that the whole area was covered in a white light. He must be walking in a fantasy. Little did he know, it was about to get better.
The trees were lined up on either side. InuYasha felt like he was walking up the aisle in a church. His silver ears tweaked. He heard the rushing sound of water. His nose affirmed his thought. There was fresh water around here. As he walked faster, he heard the rushing getting louder and louder.
Another opening lay ahead of him. He walked, slowly and cautiously, towards it. The scene ahead of him, was incredible.
The rushing water he had heard, was coming from a waterfall. Crystal blue liquid rushed over a ledge and into a large lake. Illuminated trees surrounded it, created a ghostly light to appear in the air. Snow covered the small bushes that stuck out and around them. Looking upward, he noticed the moon's bright light, that seemed to fall from the sky on a specific area of the glowing body of water.
And in its body of light, stood an angel.
InuYasha couldn't move.
He was spellbound. Beauty of one, one so pure, does that.
It was her. In the moon's rays, stood Kagome. She was covered in the same white-silver silk dress, the same one he'd found her in. Only this time, it was different. The silk clung to her like a second skin. Her raven locks dripped water down her creamy face and down her...body. As his gaze shifted down, pink crept, slowly, upward to his cheeks. Like he had said, the dress clung to her like a second skin. He could see every bead of water drip from her every curve. Her lips, her breasts, her hips.
He began to feel hot, very hot. He gulped. He thought angels were supposed to be pure and innocent, and here was one that seems to be a sexy vixen. However, he wasn't supposed to be here, anyways.
Blushing darker, he continued to watch. As he looked back up, he glanced Kagome's back as she walked into the falls. He blinked. He was so stuck on Kagome's...um...you, know...that he hadn't taken notice that she was walking on water!
Well, that shouldn't surprise him.
He continued to watch. Where could she have gone? Just then, he saw a burst of water erupt from the lake. As the water drops faded away, there she was again. She had flown out of the water! She was, so astonishing! The raven-haired beauty flew around the lake like she was dancing! She circled the moon, the stars! It was incredible! Slowing down, she did a final twirl and began to descend back to the crystal lake. When she reached, she stood on the water's surface. Her wings were soaked, but held their elegance. They seemed, immensely larger than ever! They stretched towards the sky. They were 10, no 15 meters in distance! Who knows!
She stood there, her hands in a prayer state, and that's when she began...
"We watched the plane depart,
its vapor trial fading behind.
I ran away because it was dazzling.
I was always weak
and the fact that I was forever changing ever since that day left me frustrated and I removed my finger.
That bird can't fly well yet,
but it will know some day when it feels the wind,
that there is a place it can't reach off in the distance.
It is just looking at it having a wish inside now.
The children walk on the railway in summer,
exposing their bare feet to the blowing wind,
So far away are my childhood days,
In my hands are wishes about to fly.
We watched the plane depart,
we kept chasing and chasing after it.
Since that day when we crossed over this hill,
in order to make us straight,
we will have always kept the strength
like the god of the sea, certainly.
The blades of the wind mill going round in the sky,
have the same dream forever.
A dream of a bird looking at the place it can't reach and having a wish inside.
Looking back, it is the thunder cloud covering the burned railway.
Even if it change shape,
may we always remember them- the yesterdays left behind from that season
We watched the plane depart,
we kept chasing and chasing after it.
It was an early sign.
We two began to smile.
In order to look at you straight,
I won't release your hand even if I sweat, forever."
InuYasha was amazed. Whoa...
'Is that all you can say?'
InuYasha swears he jumped 5 meters into the air. His ears were standing on end.
'What? Did I scare you?'
InuYasha looked over at the lake to meet the orbs of the angel. He blushed, harder.
'A little. How long did you know?'
'I sensed your presence before you saw me.'
'Oh, so...you probably think I'm a freaky pervert now. I'll leave.'
'No. Don't go...'
He stopped mid-way in his tracks. She didn't want him to leave? He was spying on her and yet...
She then spoke, softly, almost inaudible,"Everyone leaves me, don't go."
He turned around to see her, coming to him.
She walked towards him, her arms outstretched.
The closer she got, the smaller her wings got, then they vanished into blue light. Her silk dress was gone, replaced by a black shirt and a white, plaided skirt with black knee socks.
She stood right in front of him. Surprisingly, he thought how small, fragile she looked. This spunky, happy girl, was now a small, fragile doll looking for comfort. Embracing her delicate form, he made himself a promise.
He'd never let go of her.
No matter how far she flew, he'd hold on.
Forever.
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Kaede was in the kitchen, cooking soup. She had awoken to an empty house, not that she wasn't used to it. She suspected, that Kagome had gone to Holy Waters, and InuYasha noticing her asleep, had gone in search of Kagome. She sighed. Hopefully, they were both okay. After all, just like there are angels and "heavenly beings", there in the dark hide demons and evil shadows.
She shook her head,slightly. No need to worry, stay positive. They'll be fine.
Just then, InuYasha stepped in, holding Kagome bridal-style as she slept, peacefully.
"So, she is sleeping, again? What has she been doing these days? I'm getting in my 50s and I don't sleep as much," Kaede said as she saw the pair at the door.
InuYasha smiled. If she only knew.
"Ye, must be tired, InuYasha, was it? How about you sleep here for tonight," the grey-haired woman offered.
"Oh, you don't have to. I could just-"
"Nonsense. Ye out at this time of night! Ye may be a half-demon, but ye merely a boy. I shall not tolerate ye out there!" she told him, firmly.
"But-"
"Ye sleep here, and leave in the morning."
He caved in. No point in arguing. She must've been Kagome's source of stubbornness. Even though,...
She was right.
So that's how he ended up in the beige guest room, at the opposite end of the hall from Kaede's room.
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He lay in the bed with light blankets around him. Staring up at the ceiling. He was still awake, even with the digital clock reading, 3 am. He couldn't sleep.
He was too busy replaying today's events. It all seemed to be a fantasy. Yet, to some mortals he would be the same case. After all, he hadn't always lived in a welcoming, non-racist town. Before he had lived in a city called Crimson River, a city that didn't consider a murder of a demon or half-demon a crime. Instead, the murderer was rewarded. It was pretty brutal. Then, he moved here, to Crescent. Here was where he met Miroku, and went to a school,Shikon High, where all were accepted. Shikon High...
Shikon High...
SHIKON HIGH!
He sat up,quickly. SCHOOL! He'd completely forgotten! Spending so much time, with Kagome... who was soundly sleeping beyond in the room beside him, he'd forgotten tomorrow's trip and everything!
He sighed. He didn't want to go.
Laying back down, he closed his sore,amber eyes. Before he nodded off, he found himself dreaming about a certain angel, flying around a lake, smiling in the moon's glow.
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She smiled as she felt the rays of the Sun tickle her face. Opening her eyes, she winced, the rays were bright and almost blinded her. She slowly rose, wiping away the sleep. Finally, her eyes had adjusted to the room's brightness. She brought her knees to her face and wrapped her arms around herself.
Sadness was overwhelming her.
Her head was spinning with too many thoughts, she thought it might explode! She mumbled some non-existing words, and got out of bed. She felt miserable. She stretched in her 2 sizes too big, purple pajama shirt. Stumbling to the bathroom, she quickly brushed her teeth, avoiding her reflection, and retreated back to the cerulean blue room.
Still half-awake, she walked over to the chestnut brown dresser, to the silver cd player and pressed play. She needed music, she felt like singing. Do As Infinity's voice came on, and "Rakuen" began.
And so did she.
"We all understand
That the wounds can't go away.
How long will it go on?
We don't need them anymore.
We all wait for the day
That there will be no strife.
Wounded soldiers,
Remember now
Your mothers' warmth.
In this vast and endless world,
Drawing our own map,
And holding back our tears,
We'll continue on walking.
Stand up now,
See now, however many times
Sleeping lions are awakened,
Live on to tomorrow.
We all carry
A fragment of love,
Even if we feel hatred,
Nothing will be born of it.
That's something we don't need.
Within the limits of time,
Setting out for a paradise we've yet to see,
As far as it takes us,
We'll continue on walking.
Don't turn back,
Only look ahead.
Until your body wastes away,
Live on to the future
Remember now The vast and endless world's
Our mothers' warmth.
Yet unseen paradise we set out for,
And as far as it takes us,
We'll continue on walking.
Don't turn back,
Only look ahead.
Until your body wastes away,
Live on to the future."
As she finished singing. Kagome felt better. She returned to her bright, happy self. She couldn't be sad, especially being surrounded by home. Home,... had she ever used that term when she was alive? No.
But know, she could.
Kaede was home. A home she would forever treasure.
If only she could've said the same thing about her real home, in her first life.
Instantly, she burst into tears, drowning her steel-grey orbs. No, that thing could never be called a home! Not in a million years! Tears continue to run down her smooth cheeks.
It was where there that she found out,...found out...
...the truth behind Hell on Earth.
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Author's Note: How was that! Pretty good,huh? So if you liked it, please review! And if you yell at me for taking forever to update, reread my first note, and please don't yell at me! So review, review, review!
Thanks for reading,
luv,angel-muzik,baby
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P.S. Any song included in my story is awesome! So download and listen to them!
"Rakuen"( means Paradise) by Do As Infinity is the ending theme of the 4th InuYasha movie ( Fire on the Mystic Island). Kagome sang this second.
"Tori no Uta" (means Song of the Bird or "Tori no Shi" meaning Time of the Bird) by Lia is the them song to Air. Kagome sang this first.
Oh, and they are originally in Japanese, but I wrote them in the English translated version.
See ya next, chappie!
