Disclaimer: Well, well, well,guess I have to do this thing again. This story is mine, Susumu Hideaki is mine, but none of Rumiko Takahashi's characters are. Oh, and how many times have I wished they were::sniff:
Anywhoo, neither is the lullaby mentioned in this fic mine. That is the property of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. But I would like to mention the last two lines ARE indeed my own creation. I had forgotten what they were so...I made them up::grins:
OH! And last but certainly not least, the name Kakui is NOT MINE! I am merely borrowing it WITH REQUEST so don't think I stole it, from the oh so brilliant and talented Lunar Dreamer.
THANK YOU LUNAR! She's the bomb, go on my favorites and read her fics! I'm telling you, they are awesome and I'm still anxious for the next update. EEEEEK!
:Beams: Bet you're blushing now huh, Lunar:giggles:
Now, have fun everybody! This is full of fluff...but with an angsty twist I don'tknow why. :shruggs: ButInu andKag are FINALLY reunited! YAY!
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!
Stolen Precious
Chapter 9
Hush now…
His good friend darkness was back, as was that woman's sweet melodic tenor. He allowed them to melt over him without a fight, sinking in to the half nostalgic, half hypnotic state like accepting the hug of a long lost companion. Where to this time? Inuyasha asked.
The darkness answered with silence and his stomach then plummeted, as if he was falling off a cliff. Inuyasha clenched his body; instinctively readying himself for landing, fighting against a scream that he knew would make no sound.
No landing occurred, obviously; he was dreaming. But the rushing sensation sweeping his throat (that of a gasp) when the decline sharply stopped, felt real enough. Inuyasha was still surrounded by black.
He knew the curtain would unveil soon, showing him his surroundings.
Yet, the darkness did not recede.
Instead it fluttered and wisps of voices met Inuyasha's ears.
…my baby.
It sounded like a conference or a meeting of some kind. It was an argument. All of the voices were male, sounding rich of age.
Except one.
And he was the angriest.
"He is only a child! You can't possibly think he could be such a threat to you!"
There was murmuring and a thickening tension. One spoke up, quickly dousing the hushed whispers. He sounded to be the eldest; the leader. His words were deep in his throat and full of calm wisdom, "Susumu-San…you have grown attached to the boy…haven't you?" It was spoken slow and evenly.
But the reaction was astonishing.
There were sounds of chairs being pushed along a hard floor, most likely people rising to their feet in a clamor, and a smacking of glasses and hands on wood.
"It is with you?"
"You are the one protecting the half breed!"
"You cannot consciously commit such a travesty! You must relinquish the hanyou to the council and grant us to dispose of it!"
"I will do no such thing!" The one named Susumu bellowed out over the crowd, tight with rage. Things hushed. Silence hung. He then spoke again, lower this time, controlling his anger, "Yes, I have grown attached to him. Yes… I am the one protecting him. And I will not allow his own people to murder him in cold blood just because of their paranoia of his heritage!"
"Susumu, It is a sin! It must be killed or it will destroy us all!"
"How can you be so hypocritical?"
"Yes, were you not the one who despised hanyous and the joining of the species more than any of us here? Have you taken back your words?"
Quiet again; waiting for an answer. There was a sigh. "Yes…I have."
Astonished mutters but no one spoke up this time, perhaps too shocked to do so. Then Susumu gained everyone's attention.
"He is not a monster…or deformed…or possesses any kind of dangerous abilities. Anything at all that has been rumored about half breed offspring. He is only a child…innocent…and filled with too much fear. A child shouldn't be so frightened." The man whispered. "So hurt. Too much…despair and bloodshed…rejection…" His voice rose, "Too much already has been forced upon him!" Susumu-San took a deep strangled breath, emotion apparent in his words. "Please…just let him live. Leave him alone."
With the silence that followed, Inuyasha's friend darkness finally started to dissolve. He blinked, slowly growing accustomed to the small rays of light that was appearing, ones from dozens of candles that scattered along the room.
There was nothing exciting about the room itself. Bare, boring, and disturbing with its stone walls, and cobbled floors; it looked like some kind of torture chamber. There was a long narrow table with the bearers of the voices all sitting around it in uncomfortable looking chairs.
At the top was the elder (Inuyasha didn't know why he knew; maybe it was from his tired blue eyes, hazy with age). He had hair so long and white that Inuyasha had to convince himself the man wasn't covered with snow. He was slouched against his seat with his fingers laced atop his rounded belly. Perfectly serene, frail, but a sense of command surrounded him like a visible aura.
The elder looked up. Inuyasha gaped: Can he see me? But the blue eyes, like the depths of a calm sea, swept over him and landed on someone standing next to the hanyou.
Inuyasha hadn't even notice. He turned and looked upon the one named Susumu.
Weird. He looked familiar. A pang of loss and loneliness suddenly struck Inuyasha square in the gut. Who is this guy? Out of nowhere, an urge, unbearably strong, overtook Inuyasha. He felt like laughing in either joy or regret; to run up and squeeze the life out of the youkai man with purple eyes. Inuyasha blinked, understanding what was happening: he had missed this complete stranger.
Who is he? How do I know him? Why…does my chest hurt again?
The elder spoke. "You must understand Hideaki…you know of the boy's lineage…what he could be capable of."
"Do you think he's just…going to kill everybody one day? So he's half demon, half human, that doesn't make him some destructive weapon!"
The old man sighed and closed his eyes, "I know…we are just cowardly beings. Pray forgive us."
One of the others rose and snapped, "Do not be swayed, your lordship! The beast is against nature. We will all surely be damned for allowing it to live. We must destroy it!"
Susumu Hideaki tensed, ready to retort.
Inuyasha shook his head. Don't.
"Don't." The elder commanded at the same time of Inuyasha's thought. "Sit." The one who had stood reluctantly did so. "Granted, Susumu is correct on one aspect. The hanyou is not a weapon…but a child…and we should not allow our minds to grow ignorant and naïve to the rumors that frequent around half breeds. You have all seen him. He has his father's eyes…his mother's face. Surely a collaboration of such adored persons, each in their own lands, would create a beautiful son."
The elder gently smiled at Susumu. "And the boy really is a handsome one isn't he?"
Hideaki had to swallow before he answered, "Yes…and Inuyasha has also gained our former Lord's stubbornness."
There were some hesitant chuckles.
Inuyasha had on some level understood this about him. But hearing his name spoken aloud still reeled him with surprise. My father…a demon lord. My mother…a human. Their people…my people…wanted to kill me.
He looked out around the gathering of men and was curious to find that it was a collection of both demons and humans. Without a sense of smell in this reality, it was difficult to be aware of such things. Now that Inuyasha had realized this interesting twist, he saw that the elder also had pointed ears sticking from his hair.
The ones closest to the elder were demons and the ones farther on down to the end of the table were human. Though chairs were packed tight, there was a clear deviation between the species; both sides wanting to stick close to their own race. They really are my people…both sides.
Both wanted to murder me. Sadness and something akin to betrayal welled up like blood from a stripped scab. But it had a sense of old, such as he had experienced such an array of emotions before.
Down near the end, a human stood up and there was a deep hollowness in his eyes, of grief and despair. "Susumu-Sama…" He bowed his head. "Your lordship…and those who sit with me in this room…though I once bore hatred for the child birthed by my sister…my princess…I no longer wish to have its…" He closed his eyes. "His blood on my hands. Our kingdoms have gone through years of bitter war…and of troubled peace.
"Perhaps…" his voice choked. "Perhaps this Inuyasha, son of Lord Touga and Princess Izayaoi…could be the link between our homes….perhaps even the entire world…our salvation." Tears fell unnoticed. "We…should not kill him."
Inuyasha let out a shuddered breath. Their names…he said their names…Touga…Izayaoi…those are my parents. Inuyasha's eyes widened. And this man…he's my…my uncle! He decided not to kill me!
Hideaki smiled and his purple eyes were shimmering, "Thank you…thank you Kakui…"
Kakui nodded and he sat down, his chin resting on his chest, hair hiding his distraught face from view.
The elder cleared his throat and gained back attention, "Beautifully said Master Kakui. But I'm afraid I have lost the main issue of this meeting. If you would allow an old youkai to gather his thoughts and speak aloud…." He gave no one a chance to answer.
"Princess Izayaoi and our former Lord Touga bore a hanyou son by the name of Inuyasha. Correct?"
Perplexed humans and demons alike nodded.
He continued, "Thus said we all know the story after that. Lord Touga died in the fire and Princess Izayaoi was forced to flee with their child." He began to hobble around the room, hands wound behind his back. "For up to five years, there have been search parties out to destroy this child…and they nearly succeeded…but unfortunately…" The elder glanced at Kakui. "Inuyasha's mother was killed in the cross fire.
"It was said Inuyasha was killed along with her…and yet there were sightings of him still alive. Now it is has been discovered that the one harboring the hanyou…like suspected someone would….was our very own Susumu Hideaki. An interesting turn of events."
"You knew all along didn't you, my Lord?" Hideaki whispered.
The elder gave a mysterious grin but did not answer, "Now that we know that yes …Inuyasha is indeed alive and well. We have a dilemma…don't we, my friends?"
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. A dilemma…?
The darkness beckoned and Inuyasha felt a nip of irritation. No, I want to know what they're talking about. Let me hear what he has to say. What's the problem about me? But the darkness was more powerful than before and it shrouded him so fast that it stopped his breath.
There was still more to see and there wasn't enough time.
Be still now…
Don't cry.
The darkness had a taste of apology as it dragged him, giving him the feeling of falling off a cliff again. Inuyasha held his throat and calmed himself, finding that oxygen was seeping back in. He tried to keep the angry retorts burning on his tongue locked inside. He knew it was stupid to protest. They were long ago from…wherever that meeting had been taken place.
So Inuyasha cooled his anger and swallowed the bitterness. Stupid, stupid…I wanted to know! He clenched his teeth.
The plummet ended. The darkness scurried away like some scolded animal and Inuyasha opened his eyes.
He was blinded by the harshness of the light. Compared to that desolate room, the sunlight was painful and slicing. Inuyasha rubbed his eyes and seethed, wanting to rid of the dots swimming in his vision quickly. Maybe the darkness brought him to some place that will tell him some answers. Why he wasn't wanted, what the problem was of him being alive…how his parents exactly died. A fire…crossfire…
His ears stood up by a sudden whisper, shaky with tears.
"I love you…"
Inuyasha brought his head up so fast his neck popped. He ignored the crick and searched for the source of that familiar voice. It was right in front of him.
The girl!
It was the miko. Inuyasha stumbled forward, kindling with some strange sense of urgency. The miko who did that weird subduing thing from before, after he woke up; she was down on her knees, hands entwined and trembling over her heart, tears soaking her cheeks. The urgency…
It was because she was crying! Inuyasha fell to his knees next to her and nearly stopped himself from yelling out: Stop crying! Why did that keep happening to him? Seeing her, hearing her sniffles and barely restrained sobs; his heart lurched and pounded and his fingers started to itch.
He wanted to hold her, grab her and drag her into his arms. Stop crying…Inuyasha tensed and pushed all those weird reactions away. She had made him fall flat in his face, had chased him like some rogue criminal for days and…
…had taken the rosary off…had begged his brother not to hurt him…
"The least you can do is tell me he's okay!"
Inuyasha growled. Feh, who cares! I don't even know her name. Why had the darkness brought him here? This was pointless. But it didn't seem it was planning on taking him away any time soon. He brusquely crossed his arms and sat Indian-style, in a stance of reluctance and obvious disapproval. He stared at the girl and dealt with the curling unsettledness of watching her cry.
Sleep as you're rocked by the stream.
She was staring at something behind him. So he exhaled and turned to see what was so fascinating.
The tilting of his reality when he looked upon the massive tree wasn't fascinating…it was frightening. A colossal rush of misery and awareness made him almost topple over.
He had seen it before…
It was important…
It made his heart ache…
He didn't remember…
Inuyasha wanted to scream. He wanted to take Tetsusaiga and cut it down. He wanted to know why! WHY! WHY! WHY!
He ripped his eyes away and a shiver escaped his self control. It was behind him, staring him down. It's just a tree…Inuyasha swallowed. Another feeling occurred along with that desperation and familiarity…
Entrapment.
The world closing in and air being sucked away…being caught in something he couldn't escape from. Being crushed.
"I love him…" Her words caught his attention and thankfully redirected his thoughts elsewhere. Inuyasha gazed into her captivating eyes. Brown…violet…green…they change color. They eased the fear. And increased the ache.
Who do you love? His mind whispered.
The miko wiped her cheeks and emitted a broken laugh. "I don't know why. He's so controlling and irresponsible and prone to jealousy…" She bit her lip. "B-but…he's almost died trying to protect me…he… I love that stupid baka!" She covered her face and knelt over, erupting into a muffled sob.
Inuyasha froze as his heart accelerated in panic mode.
The miko slammed her fist on the ground. "I love him! And I can't help it! That's all…that's it. I love Inuyasha!" All of a sudden she jumped to her feet and shouted, "I LOVE HIM!" But the sudden strength and vitality…leaked away and she sank back to her knees in utter defeat.
Sleep and remember my last lullaby.
Inuyasha had forgotten to breathe.
His heart filled to bursting with…joy? She loves me? I…
She spoke up again, "But he doesn't love me. I…know." She spat in disgust, "Why am I saying this again? I've already gone over this! You stupid girl, come on Kagome he's already chosen, you know that!" She sniffed and hung her head. "I already know…but I can't stop loving him."
Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome! Over and over and…Inuyasha was panting, like he had run for miles. Kagome…she loves me. I…I…do I? Why…who have I chosen? If I don't love her…why…why is my heart beating so fast? Why am…why am I so happy…?
Kagome…that's her name.
His vision was blackening. She was disappearing. The darkness had shown him what it had wanted him to see.
He didn't fight it. He felt like he could never move again. And yet there was…he felt like he could do anything. Fly, spin, leap, scream, cry, laugh…laughter was the highest.
But the feeling soured when an onslaught of guilt attacked him. Regret spread like poison.
Why?
Kagome…
So I can be with you when you dream.
Inuyasha never opened his eyes. They were already open. He had never really fallen asleep. The venom locking his muscles in tight pulsating pain wouldn't allow such a thing.
But the darkness had a vision it wanted him to see. It was the only thing able to steal him away from the pain, that which sleep could not do. He couldn't even move his head from side to side. All he could do was keep breathing.
If he wanted to, had the vigor to, he could maybe stand up and keep walking. But this paralysis was burning. Every inhale sent a shockwave of fire through his veins. I need to keep going…Kagome and those other people…they're so close…
As the paralysis had grown, the delusional smog in his head dissipated and Inuyasha had been able to think clearly once again; soon realizing that he had been on his way towards that Kagome girl. It had been her scent…
With slight anxiety, he inhaled deep through his nose, ignoring the hiss of heat in his lungs, and savored the vanilla, strawberry perfume that perforated the air. It was thinning; he noticed in panic, she and her companions were getting farther away. "N…no…come back…" He wheezed and gray filmed over his view of interlocking branches and pieces of sky.
Inuyasha closed his eyes. I need to get up…get up, you. Get up…His shoulder was throbbing and it was distracting him from his pathetic pep talk. Then suddenly, a sharp needle like pain pierced his skin. Inuyasha whimpered and fidgeted, now growing lightheaded. He dully opened his eyes and the nausea made his sight blur and tilt.
But he recognized who it was, "M-Myouga?"
The flea took out his nose from Inuyasha's puffy wound and wiped some blood from his lips, "Yes, my Lord, and I see you have gotten yourself in trouble again. This venom is terribly strong." With that, the demon coughed and gagged a bit. "It is most disgusting."
Inuyasha smiled, "G-good to see…you…"
Myouga nodded; delight in his big bug eyes, "It is good to see you as well. What happened here?"
"S-snake…"
"A youkai?"
The hanyou barely nodded. Myouga worriedly scratched his chin, "Western demon snakes have a very potent poison. You may need more than draining to be rid of it. I don't believe I can suck it all out. Oh, why did you have to run away?" He hopped and Inuyasha groaned. "Oops, sorry."
Inuyasha shook his head, "No…that's okay…I just…I'm tired of waiting…I…I'm going to find my own answers…" His eyelids drooped.
Myouga swallowed. Western snake poison also was fast acting. He would need to hurry. Without warning, he poked his nose into Inuyasha's skin again and starting sucking, ignoring the hanyou's groan.
Inuyasha took deep breaths to alleviate the dizziness but found it only made it worse. So he decided to find some way to distract himself from it. "Myouga….who…who's Susumu…Hideaki…?"
Myouga froze a split second, shrugged and went back to sucking. Inuyasha didn't miss the pause and was going to question it but then as another spell of nausea hit him, he didn't really care anymore.
The gray was back.
Not merely a quarter of a mile away, Kirara and her strange motley crew were conversing on whether they should stop to eat or not. Well, the neko youkai wasn't. She was looking back over her shoulder and sniffing the air, giving a soft worrisome mew.
Sango glanced over to her long time friend perched on her shoulder and said, "Kirara is there something the matter?"
The cat suddenly leaped agilely to the ground and burst into flames. Miroku yelped while Kagome screamed, everyone jumping back in surprise to stray clear from the licking heat. "Kirara!" Sango cried. It wasn't like the youkai to transform in such dangerous proximities. "What are you doing?"
Kirara acted like she hadn't heard, instead sprinting off into the surrounding forest area in obvious distress. Sango looked to the others in question. And as if thinking with one mind, they all grabbed their weapons and ran after the neko.
Myouga couldn't take anymore. He was getting a dreadful stomach ache. The flea ended the draining with a belch and rolled off his master's shoulder like a huge bowling ball. He was shaped like one too. Landing in the grass, he groaned, rubbing his enlarged belly, "My Lord I have…" he burped again, "Done all I can do."
Inuyasha didn't answer and Myouga rolled around in panic, "My Lord?"
"What…? I heard you…" Inuyasha whispered, weak and tired. The flea sighed in relief. "There's someone coming…" And now he was tense again.
Myouga floundered around, looking every which way, "Who? Where?"
"Neko…" He exhaled. And then trees crashed together, leaves blew from their branches, and an intense warmth prickled their skins.
Myouga cried, blinked, and nearly wept with joy, "Ki-Kirara! It is you!" The cat demon meowed and patted over to them, sniffing at Inuyasha's neck.
The hanyou tensed but quickly let the anxiety go as Kirara softly licked his cheek. "Kirara…?" She purred, the ground quaking as she lied down and curled herself around Inuyasha's prone form. She never ended the soft mewling in her chest and Inuyasha unconsciously turned his head closer to hear it better. He soaked in Kirara's body warmth (the poison was making him feel ice cold, an unnatural freezing deep in his bones) and closed his eyes. "Is that your name?"
The neko growled in answer and started rubbing her head softly against his, encasing him completely with her three long tails. Inuyasha sighed in contentment, having not felt this safe and at ease in a long while. She was a huge and dangerous youkai, but Inuyasha found it amusing to see he felt no fear whatsoever.
He hovered on the brink of falling asleep. But the venom still circulating his system withheld such an escape. He listened as Myouga rolled over to them.
"Kirara is Kagome and everyone following you? We desperately need her medicine." Kirara need not answer for not long after a deeply panting Miroku, Sango, Kagome and Shippo stumbled through the foliage.
"Kira—Myouga?" Sango raised a brow, "What are you doing here…looking like that?" The fat little flea glowered but waved it off. He opened his mouth to speak.
Kagome beat him to it. She stepped forward, blatant hope on her face, dark circles under her eyes. "Inuyasha?" The only thing discernible from the cocoon of yellow fur was the barest flash of red fabric. It was clear who that would be. A heart beat later and the miko ran forward, dropping to her knees. "Inuyasha!" She couldn't seem to coherently say more than his name.
Inuyasha twitched and with difficultly turned his head and opened his eyes. Kagome fought against a bittersweet lump in her throat when a beautiful grin lit up his face. "Kagome…"
She gasped. Does he remember? Does he remember me! Such a quick intake of breath had a stroke of panic buzz in Inuyasha's eyes. He swallowed, "Th-that's your name…right?"
Kagome deflated but tried not to let her disappointment show. He was alive, he was okay, and he knew her name. No need to cry. But the urge wouldn't go away. She nodded, "Y-yeah, that's me. I'm…s-so ha-happy you remembered." She smiled big and bright.
He relaxed and blinked sleepily. "You scared me…there…"
Kagome laughed a weedy laugh, "Yeah, sorry about that." Miroku and Sango, with Shippo on her shoulder, cautiously walked up behind the miko and peered down on Inuyasha. Relief was evident on their faces when they saw he was okay. Kagome glanced at them and whispered, "Do you remember their names too?"
Such hope in their eyes. Inuyasha felt like a heel when he muttered apologetically, "No…not yet anyway…I'm sorry."
The man in purple robes grinned and shook his head, "Do not be, I am more at ease to see you are not running away from us anymore, my friend."
My friend…Inuyasha tried a tiny chuckle, "Couldn't even if I…wanted to…can't really move very well…right now…"
All their eyes widened and they peered down at his bleeding, pus filled shoulder in shock, not necessarily processing it earlier. Kagome covered her mouth in alarm, "You're hurt!"
"He's poisoned." Myouga managed to hobble over to them and scowled, not liking how he had been ignored. "Western hebi youkai."
Sango gaped, the only one with enough demon knowledge to know that was bad. Real bad. "Kagome, we need to get Inuyasha to a river now!" The miko jumped by her sudden shout and Sango answered the question in her eyes, "Western snake venom can kill a human in less than five minutes with one cut and a lesser demon in a half hour. I know Inuyasha's youkai blood is tough but I don't want to wait and see. Kirara, would you mind carrying him on your back?"
Kirara mewed and stood up, causing the hanyou to groan by the loss of heat, a shudder wracking his body. The neko licked his cheek again in apology. With the neko's tails gone, Sango got a better look at Inuyasha's wound and her concern deepened. It was deeper than she had first surmised. "Come on, let's get him up. But be gentle!"
They did as they were told. And Inuyasha at first struggled, not wanting to be moved, getting that old paranoia of strangers. But when Kagome gripped his hand and promised, "We won't hurt you okay? Please don't be scared of us." Her reassurance—I love him—and his good ol' pride had him relaxing.
"Feh…I'm not scared…" He hid a smile when she laughed.
As he was carried carefully to the nearest river, thanks to Kirara's nose, Inuyasha came up with a weird thought. Fighting these people…were like fighting the ocean tides…it'll pull you in eventually. And he was already sucked back into their company after so many days of running and hiding.
And…I'm almost…glad…
River, oh river, flow gently for me.
Should he look? Inuyasha rocked, pumping himself up, to spring forward and finally take the plunge. He sighed.
He couldn't do it.
Inuyasha flopped onto his back—gently!—and looked up into the night sky. Stars splattered and circled in patterns across a black canvass, fluttering out and in sight through the trees' branches. Something about the forest…he loved it. It felt something like home…
But he didn't know what home was. Or if he ever had one.
He fingered the bandage tightly wound around his shoulder and winced, recalling how the taijiya had to reopen it, drain the pus, and slather this smelly, stinging goop inside the gash. But it really hadn't been that bad. Like I told them. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Really, everyone kept thinking he was some defenseless infant; fragile and sensitive. Please.
You are a coward though. Inuyasha scowled and hopped back into a sitting position.
He had slept throughout the rest of the day on some portable bed…a 'sleeping bag' the miko—no, Kagome, that's her name—had said. When he had awoken, his injury was clotted and now only tender, and his muscles were sore. He had to get up and walk around; a strange antsy earnest coming over him.
The others had been asleep. During the time at the river he had begged for their names, deliria settling in again. The monk—Miroku—the taijiya—Sango—and the kitsune—Shippo…but no memories…no recognition; his heart had just started hurting again. It did that a lot. He was learning to ignore it.
Inuyasha wondered if maybe the reason the darkness had shown him Kagome—I love you—was to help him trust them again and accept their help (not like he had really needed it…) that was plausible, it had worked. The fear from before had vanished without his knowing. Replacing it was some kind of guilt from not remembering them (sadness in their eyes) and frustration for not yet being told how they knew him.
He would find out in the morning.
Hopefully…
Inuyasha's thoughts than traveled to Lord Sesshomaru and Rin; he hoped she was okay, that she wasn't worrying for him. His brother on the other hand…If he didn't have to see that bull headed dog for awhile than life would look a little bit brighter. The hanyou couldn't recall what he had envisioned in that cave, but he did remember the anger.
He had been so mad. And it had been directed to Sesshomaru-Sama. For what reason? He didn't know. But the rage…
Blood dripping from elongated claws…buzzing like sugar on his tongue…
A deadly and repetitive voice had whispered evil thoughts in his mind when red had veiled over his world. It had been seductive, laughing and shouting out that his brother must die, they all must die, no one cared about him, they hated him, wanted the half breed to rot in--!
Inuyasha closed his eyes and shook himself. There was something wicked inside him; a part of himself that he didn't want to know. He could feel it sleeping.
"Okay, enough of that!" Back to business, just look in the stupid water! Inuyasha leaned forward again but that cold numbing fear trickled back into his torso. He just couldn't do it! Inuyasha growled.
And he stiffened when a twig snapped. He whirled around, ready to defend himself!—when Kagome tiptoed cautiously out of the darkness, hugging herself. "Inuyasha?" She whispered. Inuyasha sank back down and felt the tension in his shoulders ease.
"Yeah? What's wrong? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" He didn't know why he cared. Not like it was his business. But seeing the lines under her eyes bugged him. She needed rest.
His thoughts were cut off by her brilliant smile. "I just wanted to know you were okay. I saw you walk off and I couldn't sleep anymore…so I followed." Inuyasha smirked when she yawned.
"Feh."
Kagome smiled again and nodded to the ground. "Can I join you?"
"Uh…sure, I don't care." Inuyasha crossed his arms and went back to staring at the edge of the river bank. He caught himself inhaling deeply as she sat next to him. A guy could get addicted to that scent of hers.
"So, um…what are you doing all the way out here?" Kagome rubbed her arms, clad in wool pajamas. It was the warmest P.J.'s she had and yet the cold still clung to her, sending goose bumps along her flesh. Inuyasha noticed out of the corner of his eyes. Without saying a word, he took off his outer haori and draped it over her shoulders.
"Stupid girl…" he muttered. Kagome blinked, surprised by such an act, an act that he had done for her before in the past. A corner of her lips rose bitterly. But he didn't remember any of that. She pulled the red clothing tight and whispered her thanks, slowly breathing in his musky forest scent clinging to it. She had thought she would never smell that again….
"Are you feeling better?" A flash of blood and green ooze, whimpers and writhing…
"I'm fine. It doesn't hurt at all."
"That's good. I was really worried." Kagome pulled in her knees and wrapped her arms around them. "You should be more careful." She chuckled when he scoffed at her. "Hey, I'm just teasing you!"
Her breath caught when he blinked and soon grinned in return. No memories…and smiling was easier for him…there was something wrong about that.
Such precious cargo you bear.
A comfortable silence fell upon the couple, as they both stared out over the rippling water. Inuyasha broke it by whispering, "Kagome…can I ask you something?"
She nodded, "Anything, Inuyasha. I know you must be really confused."
He chuckled dryly and sobered. Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, "Promise you won't laugh…or…lie to me?"
Kagome straightened, "Of course not! Inuyasha, I would never lie to you." She bit her lip and then bravely reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. One little squeeze and she pulled it back, "Believe me about that…okay?"
His skin where she had touched him was tingling. Inuyasha tried not to concentrate on it. "Yeah…I do."
"What is it that you want to ask me?" Kagome was blushing. He was struck by how cute that made her.
Inuyasha looked away, fighting against a tied up tongue. He needed to know. It was selfish…petty…but if he didn't ask it would bother him forever. And he no longer thought he had the courage to find out on his own. Coward. "Uh…" He breathed in, "What…what do I look like?"
Kagome stopped herself short before she could gasp. Her insides went still. He doesn't even remember…what he looks like? How terrible…how awful that must be. Inuyasha…He had that childish hopeful gleam in his eyes again, a stroke of anxiety. She didn't want him to worry anymore, be scared. Like how she had been for days…
Take him to the edge of the deep passing sea.
Inuyasha's face went warm when Kagome suddenly shifted to her knees and scooted in front of him. She grabbed his hands. "You have golden eyes." Her voice was low and personal, almost maternal. "Almost like cat eyes and sometimes when you turn your head just the right way, they glow." Kagome tugged him forward, towards the water. Inuyasha's heart was pounding but he didn't resist.
She chuckled, "You must already know you have white hair. It changes color in different lights. Blue…silver…you should really let me brush it sometime, it's really knotted too." Kagome gave a full laugh and his heart gave a double whammy beat. She released one hand and crawled awkwardly, still pulling him with the other. Inuyasha followed, amused by how mesmerized he was.
"What else?" He managed to say.
"You're young. Not a single scar or blemish on your skin, which makes me jealous by the way!" He loved her laugh. "You have a strong chin and broad shoulders. Kind of skinny, but boy do you eat like a horse! Your bangs are long and barely cover your eyes. You have dark eyebrows…you scowl a lot…but I…I really like it when you smile." Kagome's blush darkened to the point of glowing. She had stopped, any farther and into the river she would go.
Inuyasha inched closer till they were nose to nose. Why? There were no memories. The only thing he knew about her was what the darkness had showed him and the short times they had interacted after he had woken up. That was all. He shouldn't be feeling like this.
He wanted to kiss her.
But thinking that brought back the over whelming flow of guilt and regret…and he didn't understand WHY!
"Kagome…did I…have I hurt you...before?" He asked huskily. Something passed in her eyes and Inuyasha knew he had. She built on the shame when she shook her head and smiled a painful looking smile.
"Look at your reflection, Inuyasha."
"I…I don't think I want to." He tightened his fingers around her tiny palm. Tell me please…what did I do to hurt you? What have I done that makes you…that makes you not want to tell me you love me?
She frowned. "Why not?"
He didn't know how to answer. "Maybe…maybe I think there's still more?"
Kagome blinked and her eyes flicked to the top of his head. They widened. "Oh! I did! I…I mean…" He was awfully close. No…it wasn't awful…but he was really close. He was staring so intently at her, like he was trying to force something out of her…or was trying to understand. Kagome swallowed, "I forgot to mention…you have dog ears."
That kind of broke the spell. He didn't let go of her hand but his staring lessened, "What!" Inuyasha licked his lips, "I have…what now?"
"Puppy ears. White…and furry…they move around a lot. Like a dog's…" she had to swallow again. Her mouth was getting really dry. "Take a look."
Inuyasha hesitated, not sure if it was a good idea. But finally he rotated his head the entire way and peered down. A familiar stranger peered curiously back. He didn't notice that he had let go of Kagome's hand.
White…no…blue hair. He cocked his head to one side. Golden eyes that glow…no scars…strong chin…Inuyasha rolled his good shoulder. Broad shoulders…and dark eyebrows…
Something flicked his hair atop his head and Inuyasha tipped forward till he was nearly plunging his nose in the water. Dull shock flitted through him. Dog ears…
Kagome was down next to him and she whispered, "See? You're perfect."
Inuyasha's lips were parted and he straightened slowly. "Perfect?" Jakken's cruel words rolled around his mind. My fault…filthy half breed…not pure…disgusting…His brows furrowed, "But I'm…"
"Don't listen."
He turned and was drowning in intense brown eyes. "Huh?"
"Don't listen, Inuyasha. You're perfect. Don't listen to anything others tell you. You make mistakes and have flaws like any other being. You're your own person. You're the perfect Inuyasha. That's all." Kagome had tears clinging stubbornly to her lashes and she blinked them away. "That's all."
To a place that for his heart will care.
Not another word was said. The silence was nervous at first but it quickly melted back to comfortable. They again found themselves sitting side by side, watching fireflies dip around and around.
The moon lowered. Kagome's head bobbed and soon she gave in and rested her head against Inuyasha's shoulder. He watched her breathe peacefully, sinking into slumber. When she was out like a light, he wrapped an arm around her and brought her into his lap.
He didn't know what had possessed him to do that.
But he didn't regret it.
Technically, he had first met her three days or so ago. Inuyasha felt like he had known Kagome all his life.
I love that baka!
He laid his head atop hers and closed his eyes.
His heart felt like it was bleeding.
A.N.:
Now, wasn't that nice? And slightly sad? For some reason instead of the usual TSH kind of romancey gag fluff stuff I do, this came out (admitedly, fast) and a tad...depressing. :sigh: Have I finally gotten to the point of making them in character? Ah, I don't want this to end all angtsy and stuff like with the manga!
I found what happens on the last episode and it made me all mopey. :pouts:
Well--:claps:--hope this answers some questions about Hideaki and stuff. AND!--I did research on InuTaishou's name, Touga was allegedly what was written on the layout for the third movie but it was never put in the film. Don't ask me why. And don't ask me why the heck Takahashi-Sama won't give him a name in the manga. If it were me...
:laughs: OK, now it's time for TSH, even though...I do want to do more for this story...:puppy eyes: Heheheee...: sweatdrops by evil TSH fan glares:bows and scampers off: AHHHH!
