Chapter Three: Second Thoughts
Kagome held her breath waiting for Inuyasha's response. She could see was debating within himself.
Remember what we talked about yesterday?
Yes, but I really don't want her to go! I want her to stay here with me! Inuyasha thought angrily.
I know you do, so do I, but she has something really important to do at home. Just let her go, trust me on this...
The voice faded and it was replaced by Kagome's waiting face. He sighed and said hesitantly, "Ok, but only for a few days. Any more than that and I'm coming to drag you back here. There are still Jewel Shards out there."
The group stared at him in awe. He had just said yes to letting Kagome go home, no problem! Kagome approached him cautiously.
She put a cold hand to his forehead, "Inuyasha are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Now just go already!" he looked really troubled. "Before I change my mind..."
Kagome looked at the man she had come to love and decided he should be awarded for being kind, "Inuyasha, how about I stay the night? Since you let me go easily, I'll stay until tomorrow morning, then I have to go," she suggested kindly.
Inwardly he smiled, See, being a good boy gets you awards. Maybe next time she'll give you a cookie.
His smile faded, Rrrrr, shut up...what's a cookie?
Never mind...
"Ok," he said, he couldn't surpress his smile any longer. He smiled a smile, just a little one, but still a smile. Kagome smiled back kindly.
"Ok, well. It's late. We should be getting to bed," Kagome said looking out the window of the little hut.
Inuyasha sighed, he hadn't realised what time it was. Kagome would leave in a matter of hours. He walked over to his corner of the hut and sat down; legs crossed, Tetsusaiga on his lap, and his arms folded neatly in the opposite sleeve of his hoari. He watched the group settle down. Sango sat by the fire at the opposite end as Miroku, not wanting to be groped in her sleep. She had Kirara huddled at her side comfortably. Miroku sat almost the same way as him except he let one hand rest on his lap and the other on his staff, which was standing upright.
His eyes fell upon Kagome's form. She slept on the floor with a thin blanket over her. She had Shippo in her arms as she hugged him closely, like a mother would with her child. He let a loving smile play on his lips as he dozed off slowly into sleep.
Kagome's Dream
She had left to go home that morning and was now currently laying on her cozy pink green. She looked around her room, everything was green. But her room was pink, had her mom painted it when she was gone? "I'll have to thank mom for changing the colour of this room," she said out loud.
She heard a knock at her door as her mom walked in, "It's time, honey."
She looked different, way different. Instead of the short hair she was used to, it was long and brown with orange highlights. She was taller and leaner. She had long pointed fangs poking out of her mouth. Her face was hard and serious, like one of a lawyer or a businesswoman. Her fingers ended in long, sharp claws, which looked extremely dangerous. She wondered if she had ever cut herself with them.
Kagome nodded and got up. She changed into something different, more comfortable. Her mother led her to a room, one of which she never knew existed in the house. Then everything went black. When the light returned she was standing in front of her friends in the Feudal Era. They were looking at her with disgust.
She looked down at herself. Now it was her turn to look different. Her white hair drapped of her shoulders as she looked down. It was straight with brown highlights. Her teeth and nails were now pointed and just as dangerous as her mothers. She walked over to the stream that just happened to be there. She looked in and saw emerald green eyes staring back. She could have sworn that it was Shippou staring back at her. But no, when she looked back there he was, looking at her with the same look of disgust. She felt like she was going to cry. They did not accept her. She wanted to go back and never do the ritual. She turned around and tried to speak, it wouldn't come out. She had no voice. One by one they turned around and walked into the mist, never looking back. Even Sango, who had swore to be there for her through all of this. She tried to run toward them, her arms trying to grasp their retreating forms, but she seemed to be going in slow motion. The fully disappeared and she fell to her knees, crying her heart out.
End of Dream
Kagome woke up with a start. She sat up quickly with a gasp and put a hand to her racing heart. It took a couple minutes to realise that it was all just a dream. She wiped away the tears she had been crying in her sleep from her face. She looked around. Her friends were still there with her, they hadn't abandoned her. She sighed in relief.
She saw Miroku whose hand was mere inches away from Sango's butt. She let out a silent laugh. That was not how he'd fallen asleep. She got up, careful not to disturb Shippou from his sleep. She walked over to where they were and removed Miroku's hand away from Sango's rear.
She felt sorry for the guy, he loved Sango so much he was willing to be slapped continuously. She also felt sorry for Sango, who was forced to slap him because of his wandering hand. She also spotted his foot, dangerously close to the fire. She bent down and moved it far enough away so that he didn't have a chance to be burnt. She went to turn around when she saw movement behind her. She saw Miroku, instead of groping Sango in his sleep, grab her by the waist and pull her protectively towards him. They looked like a truly happy couple until they woke up. Sango was going to freak.
The dream deeply disturbed Kagome. She was beginning to have second thoughts about going through the change at all. She would have to talk to Sango privately the next morning. She wanted more then anything to be able to protect herself, but she didn't want the possibility of loosing her friends in the process. She sighed outwardly.
Inuyasha heard someone gasp and sit up quickly within the hut. He became alert. He sniffed the air and smelt tears. His eyes accustomed to the darkness in the hut, and saw Kagome moving around. He watched her wipe away tears on her face. She looked around and saw Miroku who had moved near Sango's rear again. He heard her laugh quietly and watched her get up. She walked over to him and removed his hand from the area. She moved his foot from the danger of the fire also. He smiled, She really cares about everyone. She'll put everyone before her own health and safety.
I know, and that's why you love her. She's a pure soul. She accepted you right away, no second thoughts. She loves you...
He continued to watch her from his corner. He saw her get up and turn towards him. Miroku then put a protective hold on Sango's waist. Inuyasha held in a laugh. He was going to get it in the morning.
He heard Kagome let out a sad sigh, he sensed a change in her aura. Something was bugging her, she seemed unsure and nervous. He silently got up, putting his precious sword down quietly, and walked up to her. He put a hand on shoulder and felt her jump. She turned around and looked up at him. She seemed to relax a little bit as he sensed her uneasiness fade away.
He led her out of the hut and jumped into a tree. He put her on his lap as she leaned against his chest for warmth. They soon fell asleep.
Inuyasha's Dream
It was back when they were fighting the demon that snapped Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga in half. (an: what's that demons name again?) Inuyasha was trying to figure out how to defeat him. But how could you defeat something that knows your every move before you even know? Inuyasha growled in frustration as he tried to swipe the demon, but missed. He couldn't hit him. the demon then bit his sword and it snapped. He heard gasps from behind him. The demon took advantage of his distractedness. (an: is that even a word? lol) He charged and slashed Inuyasha with his claws. Inuyasha fell to the ground unconscious. He could still see everything that went on. His body was paralysed but his mind was working full-time.
He saw Kagome, no wait, was that Kagome? It couldn't be, that was a demon. But they look so much alike. He looked around and saw no Kagome. He saw the demons eyes turn deep red as she lost control.
"Kagome!" he heard Shippo yell. He was talking to that demon, but how did Kagome become a demon? When?
He watched Kagome run with unimaginable speed and kill the demon that had just taken him down, acting like it was the easiest thing in the world. He saw her turn towards his friends, flexing claws drenched in the demons blood. She laughed a laugh that reminded him of Naraku, but more evil. It would have sent chills up his spine if he weren't paralysed. He desperately wanted to get up and help his friends, but he couldn't.
He felt his demon side take over just then, yet he could still see everything he was doing, just not being in control of his body. He sped up to the demon. He tried to slash her with his demon speed, but she was too fast. He watched in horror as she killed all her friends like they were nothing. She turned to him, with claws full of their friends blood. She licked her fingers, tasting the metallic taste of blood. He lost it, even though he was a demon, he recognised those humans as his friends. He charged her, his half-demon side screamed at his demon side not to harm her. But it would not listen. He swiped at her with fury, but she dodged everytime, enjoying his attempts. She was just playing with him, teasing him. She got bored and slashed at him. One prrfectly aimed hit was all it took. He fell to the ground as Kagome, the woman he had come to love, stood over him, laughing.
End of Dream
Inuyasha woke up and sat up from his lying position on the ground. He had fallen from the tree. He looked around for Kagome when he realised that she was not around him like she was when they fell asleep. He could smell her in the direction of the hut. She was making ramen. Usually he would jump for joy over ramen, but the dream was still in his mind. What did it mean? Was something bad going to happen to him or Kagome? It haunted his mind all the way to the hut. He walked in casually, yet it looked like he was deep in thought. He sat down by Kagome and she handed him his ramen. He ate slowly.
Should I let her go?
To her time?
Yeah...did you see that dream? What happens if something happens to her? I won't be there!
I did. I'm sorry you had to go through that but I don't control your dreams. I'm just your conscience. (sp?)
Do you think it meant anything?
Yes.
Like what?
I am not sure...but I'm positive that everything will be alright. Maybe it's just saying that she will be able to take care of herself soon?
Maybe...
Now she's calling for you...take care...
"Inuyasha? Are you alright?" Kagome said looking at him. He wasn't eating his ramen. He appeared to be deep in thought like he had been when he walked in.
Inuyasha shook his head to wake himself up, "Yeah," he said reassuringly.
"You sure?" Kagome pressed on. It looked like something was bothering him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Now hurry up so you can go," he said roughly. He needed time to think, and Kagome was making that impossible. He gulped down the rest of his ramen and walked out. he didn't really want her to go but his conscience reassured him that everything was going to be alright. He still decided to go check on her a few times a day.
They all looked at the place Inuyasha had been just seconds ago. They finished their breakfast and left the hut after him. They all said farewell to Kaede before they set off to the well.
Kagome got more and more nervous the closer she got to the well, what happens if her dream comes true?