Author's Note: Hokay. It's been a little bit, but this chapter isn't as easy as I thought. I'm left in the turmoil of deciding whether I want this to be an InuxKag fic, or a SessxKag fic… I only got one review on the last chapter, which is kind of upsetting, but I know I lost a lot of you when I stopped writing this thing. Ah well, things are going to now get interesting (and much more difficult for meee).
Sakura Blossoms and Vanilla
His steps were quick and urgent, wanting to put as much distance between himself and the well as soon as possible. He could not stand it anymore – the empty reassurance that Kagome would ever be back with him. The well was sealed and he wanted nothing more to do with the damn Shikon no Tama. It had caused him far too much sorrow in one lifetime and he still wished for peace.
And if that meant seeking out an eternity of it with the one woman that he had left, then so be it.
He ran fervently, his pink- tinted gaze lifting to the skies to find the same youkai that he had grown to know far too well. The shikigami would lead him straight to his first love, and with her, he will be able to find the silence that he wanted. He would have her, and because of that, he'd be able to last through whatever eternity in Hell would give him.
Or so he hoped.
InuYasha followed her scent upon the wind, until he found those surreal wisps of energy that would show him the way. But for that moment, he felt hesitation. Did he truly want this? Nothing seemed to remain there for him any more, and he wasn't sure if he could last those five-hundred years to see her again. He had Kikyou here and now, but could he choose her? Naraku was no more, and there was truly nothing left for him to remain and fight for. Everyone had someone, and he had Kikyou.
He was left at a standstill, standing between his past and future, wondering which path to take…
With that one jump, she felt her stomach rise to her throat and warmth suddenly encompassed her. But, she did not hit the ground ungracefully as she was used to. Her feet touched the ground and she felt the raw power from the Shikon just beneath her. It was as if the ocean itself was surging just beneath her feet, and all she could do was lift her gaze to the top of the well.
When she was greeted with blue skies instead of the aging roof of the well house, she was nearly frozen to the spot. How was she able to return this time? Her thoughts trailed to the power that she'd so quickly felt, and her gaze fell to the well bottom. Just in front of her lie the Shikon no Tama, unharmed and seemingly waiting for her. And, for that moment of pause, she wondered if she was dreaming. Could she truly reach out and take the Shikon, feeling its power surge just beneath her fingertips? Would it be the same dream, or perhaps nightmare, that she'd been experiencing for years?
Pushing her rather reasonable apprehension away, Kagome crouched down to gingerly and carefully lift the flawless Shikon from the dirt beneath her. A soft breath passed her lips, one she'd not been aware that she had been holding. However, if… the jewel was here with her, then what happened to InuYasha?
Her brow knitted in the usual worry, and she made quick to grab hold of the old vines that continued to grow around the well. With a grunt or two, she managed to pull herself up over the side of the well, scratching her knees on the hard wood as she usually did. Sighing, Kagome wiped herself off a bit and took the brief moment to look around; take everything in that she had dearly missed throughout the past years; her surroundings that had seemed like they were only a dream – a very long and complex dream.
Her thoughts trailed furiously to and from the past, wondering why she had left so simply; left everything behind. Did she really expect things to go on normally? Kami only knew how the others fared without her – Sango, Miroku, Shippou… InuYasha.
As she was brought to reality, Kagome quickly set towards the small village of Edo – her second home. Her steps were quick as she felt the constriction in her chest from years of neglect. Really, she should have continued running or exercising like she had here… Regardless, she pressed herself forward through InuYasha's forest until she had seen the village ahead of her. She gave pause, standing on the hill just before it that overlooked the entire village. It looked nearly the same, other then a few new buildings here or there – it was home. As a small smile passed her lips, Kagome sprinted towards the village, excitement welling within her stomach. Perhaps they would forgive her for her mistake.
It was within minutes that she had carried herself deep into the village, ignoring the hushed murmurs of her return. She was intent only on finding old Kaede. And soon, she'd arrived at the familiar hut, her heart racing from her run and the sheer anticipation of seeing everyone again.
"Kaede?" Kagome called, approaching the small hut. "Are you there?" She walked over and pushed aside the screen, allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
"Ah! Kagome, child. I have wondered about your return…" She spoke softly, her voice somewhat weaker than before. She stood before Kagome, a bowl of mixed herbs in her arthritis-ridden hands, and a faint smile upon her sun-dried lips. "Have ye seen InuYasha yet?"
Upon hearing his name, Kagome's smile faded slightly. "InuYasha?" She asked slowly, in such a small voice that it sounded as if she were only the school girl that she used to be. "No; No, I haven't seen him yet. I think… It was by coincidence that I was able to come back. The shikon had been left in the well."
"The well?" Kaede asked, sounding truly puzzled at such a thing. "Why would it be there? Ye put it in InuYasha's hands, did ye not? Why would he have left it there?" The old woman moved slowly around the room to place the bowl she'd been holding down on one of the small tables. Her movements were nearly sloth-like, and it was clear that Kaede was aging fast, it was only a matter of time until she left…
"He has kept good care of it until now…" She trailed, looking back to Kagome. "I think ye should go look for him, Kagome. Something may not be right, here."
Kagome, though hesitant, nodded lightly in return. Where had InuYasha run off to, and why was the jewel left behind? If anything, she'd have expected him to have it on his person at all times; after all, he'd kept her from so much just to find the damn thing. She was certain it was precious to him.
She turned to leave the hut, but the old woman's voice broke her from her reverie and newfound determination. "Kagome?"
"Yes, Kaede?"
"Take these. Perhaps you may need them soon." Kaede replied softly, moving to hand her her old bow and arrows. Kagome accepted them with a small smile and nodded, before starting towards the door. "I will inform the others of your arrival while ye look for him."
Kagome slipped out of the door after hearing Kaede's final words, with a new adventure at hand. InuYasha would not just have left like that. Something had happened and she was intent on finding it out before she met the others. A sense of dread welled deep within her stomach – a dread she'd not felt in years.
And with that thought in mind, Kagome began out of the village with a sprint towards where her own instincts were leading her… Where the shikigami were leading her…
A/N: Sorry it took a bit longer. College is coming and I've been working on scheduling and stuff. It's such a pain. X-x
