Author's Note: Yes I know, it's been a long time since I've updated. I just don't like writing when I'm feeling forced or uninspired because then it's shit. I do this for fun and enjoyment. I want it to be as best quality of work that I am capable of doing even though it's just a hobby. For those of you whose stuck around, I thank you and hope you enjoy this. So I'm loosely basing this chapter on when Kikyo's ashes were stolen to make more of a foundation on the complexity and growth of certain characters. Then I will change it to my story. I just needed a little footing is all. I do not own Inuyasha, just covering my ass.
"Who would steal Kikyo's ashes?" Inuyasha asked Kaede. Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo were back at their usual village. Kagome mentally flagged the place as their 'head quarters' since that was the place where they'd always come back to retrieve supplies from the village, go back to her time to catch up on school, ramen, junk food, medical supplies and such, and it always seem to be the place to be briefed by Kaede before bumbling into any situation. A certain half-demon liked to recklessly charge at something whilst swinging his sword was not something Kagome agreed with.
"I do not know. Whoever it was, I have a very ominous feeling about this whole incident." She answers. Kagome looks at Inuyasha and notices his face hardened with worry, anxiety, and longing. Kagome has been feeling very confused about her feelings towards Inuyasha over the past while. She knew for certain that in the beginning he was very hostile and antagonistic towards her for reasons unknown, slowly he started to open up to her to the point where she would consider themselves as friends. Ever since the time at the temple things felt different. Maybe it was because he'd shown her his vulnerability and his emotions? Being the fifteen-year-old girl she too, was brimming with uncontrollably heightened emotions. Kagome pondered, Maybe I'm just thinking too much, it's just my imagination. Or is it? I know I felt it. That spark of connection with him even if it was so quick to disappear. It still lingers. Do I have feelings for him? Now I'm just confusing myself way too much! But the way he looks at me... makes me feel something deep within me. Oh get a grip, Kagome!
They came to the conclusion to set after the demon who stole Kikyo's ashes. The rocky cliffs with deadly heights putting stress on Kagome as they crossed an old haphazard bridge. She gripped the rope sidings, white knuckled and she and Kaede crept across. Clay soldiers inching their way towards them from both ends, Inuyasha's rash decision making caused the fragile bridge to snap sending Kagome and Kaede to their deaths. Red eyes peered from the higher cliffs, the demon declared,
"It's her! Her appearance is the spitting image of Kikyo! That explains why this clay doll of Kikyo is useless! She was already reincarnated to that woman!" Demon speed that Inuyasha possessed saved Kaede from her fall. As for Kagome, she was taken by Urasue.
Kagome struggled against the ropes that rendered her useless as she was soaked in a tub of strong herbs and water. Nausea getting the best of her, she saw a glimpse of a woman identical to her dressed in a priestess garb before she felt her body stop functioning, her heart stop in an instant, as her soul was ripped out from her into the other woman.
Inuyasha's body froze with shock of seeing his long lost love. She was exactly the same as she was fifty years ago. Hair that resembled a curtain of black silk, snow white complexion, and those eyes, oh those sorrow filled beautiful eyes of hers that captured his hard golden ones. If he was all human, he wouldn't have been able to hold back the tears. His emotions were strung tight. Part of him wanted to embrace her, part of him wanted to emotionally hurt her for betraying him, and all of him loved her, reguardless. He hated this. He hated feeling so out of control. Yet, to Kikyo, she claims that he was the one of betrayed her and inflicted the fatal wound upon her person. She wanted him dead, and he wasn't going to fight back. Inuyasha just wanted her to believe that he didn't betray her. As Kikyo fired the fatal arrow at Inuyasha's heart, Kagome's eyes shot wide open, her body calling her soul back to her. Kikyo's sacred arrow dissipated. I have to get away from the girl! She's taking my soul! Kikyo stumbled away from Kagome before her soul was completely returned to the girl.
Instead of checking how Kagome is doing, Inuyasha runs off chasing Kikyo. Kagome come back to life. She felt like she traveled a million miles in eternity. Okay Kagome, five senses in the present. Touch; Kaede's hands on my arms. Taste; the brine. Smell; the herbs. See; Shippo's tear stained face. Hear; Inuyasha calling for Kikyo. That woman, Kikyo... Inuyasha's love. How would he be feeling now? If I lost someone I loved and saw them again fifty years later? He must be in pain and feeling confused. I know I would be. Why do I feel dejected and upset? Well, he didn't come check on me to see if I was alive. I'm angry. I shouldn't be this way. How selfish of me. Kagome fought herself and buried her thoughts the best she can. Tears threatening to shed. Tears of relief? Or tears of heartache? Perhaps both. She was just grateful that her friends were here comforting her.
They trekked back to the village for some much needed rest. Kaede was about to retrieve a priestess garb for Kagome to change into but she insisted that she goes home for a bit so she can have a proper bath and much needed rest. What she didn't tell them was that she needed time to sort things out after her experience with death and coming back to life earlier today which left her feeling very overwhelmed and void at the same time. "I really, really need to take a good bath and a good scrubbing after that terrible herb bath. Besides, I need to study and try to catch up on my school work. I'll be back in a week's time." Kagome cringed as she spoke, expecting Inuyasha to complain and have a fit. "Yeah, whatever. That's fine." Was his answer. He looked very preoccupied about something and she assumed it was about Kikyo. Yeah. I need to leave, NOW. I stink, I'm hungry, and Kikyo's back who's trying to kill Inuyasha but he still defends her. Fabulous.
Kagome packed up her items in her big yellow bag and tiredly made her way to the well. If she was in her usual state of mind, she would've felt another presence in the trees surrounding the well. A pair of bright ruby eyes watched her with interest. With his nose wrinkling as he smelled the awful herbs she was drenched in, Hiten contemplated revealing himself to her. What the hell did she get into? She fucking stinks, her hair is a mess, haha! Hiten grinned and stifled a giggle. It was quite humorous to him to see this little human woman-child looking so disheveled for some unknown reason. Since the day that he met her, he couldn't get her out of his mind. She was different from all the other humans and demonesses alike. He liked how she stood up to him. She was either really stupid or brave. And he knew she was the latter. She was exceptionally loyal to her friends, risking her own life to save that flea-bag fox runt. And she even gave us a burial the best she could. He watched her drop the giant yellow bag on the side of the well and she sat on the edge, just looking out into the distance. She looked worn out. Hiten noticed the bags under her eyes, how her skin didn't have a healthy glow that she always has, and her breathing was shallow. His eyes narrowed with irritation and worry now that he suspected she went through something bad enough to put her in this state. Hiten's own heart beating a little faster than he'd like to admit, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and pounced into the opening, landing about five feet in front of Kagome. He stood, tall and intimidating with his fixed trident in his hand. His bright red eyes met Kagome's brilliant blue, wide with fright and a hint of hidden curiosity. He smirks, "Hello, Kagome."