Hi! I'm so sorry for all my late updates, but my laptop is having some issues where I can't log in, so that makes it slightly difficult to post on here. That, and the fact that my job takes up a lot of my time, I go back to school next week, and I still have about two summer reading books to finish. No pressure, right? *sweatdrop*
Anyways, I hope you're still reading this and haven't given up on me completely. The story is coming along quite decently, and in this chapter, there rises some conflict! DUN DUN DUUUUN! Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha except for my original characters.
Within minutes, Koga soon found himself walking down a dusty dirt path with Kagome and her friend Madison. As he strode along, he began to think quietly to himself.
Madison seems like a very nice girl. he concluded. She is lucky to have a friend like Kagome.
Koga smiled to himself slightly, before flashing it towards the direction of Kagome. She in turn grinned back at him, the most adorable pink blush tinting her pale cheeks.
She is so lovely. thought Koga as he continued walking in a dreamlike state. When I'm around her, I feel so different. I love it. He sighed softly. I love her...
With a sly smile, Madison leaned over to whisper in her friend's ear. "He's watching you, Kagome." she teased.
"Be quiet, Madison." came Kagome's curt response, but she was secretly pleased at the statement. Finally, Kagome spotted the figure of a woman curved over some nearby bushes. By the long brown hair and enormous boomerang secured to her back, Kagome instantly recognized her friend.
"Sango!" she called joyfully, causing the girl to look up in surprise. Nonetheless, she smiled.
"Kagome!" Sango greeted, going over to give the young schoolgirl a hug. She then saw Madison. "Is this the friend whom you have told us about?"
"Yes." replied Kagome. "This is Madison. Madison, this is Sango."
"Hello!" Madison said. "It's nice to meet you!"
"It's nice to meet you too." said Sango. After greeting the nearby Koga, she turned towards Kagome once more.
"I came out here with Miroku and Shippo." she mentioned. "They should be back in a minute."
True enough, the monk and the fox demon showed up not a moment too soon. Kagome introduced Madison to the both of them when they came, and discovered that they were rather pleased to meet her.
Miroku asked Madison, "Have you met Inuyasha yet?"
"No." came Madison's response. "But when I do, I've got a few choice words for him." She balled up one of her hands into a fist and gently pounded it into the other one, a fierce look befalling her normally gentle face.
"You and me both." Koga furrowed his brow in anger.
Miroku raised an eyebrow. "I take it you know, then, about what Inuyasha has done to Kagome?"
"I most certainly do." answered Madison. "And I can honestly say he's going to regret it wholeheartedly."
"You don't have to do that, Madison." Kagome cut her off quickly. "It's all over now."
"But he shattered my best friend's heart." Madison nodded. "There's no way I'm going to let him off so easily."
"I agree with Madison." Koga seconded. "That half-breed is going to pay for the way he treated my woman."
"Your woman, eh?" Madison raised an eyebrow, grinning mischievously. "Did you hear that, Kagome?" she said. "Inuyasha's going to pay for the way he treated you. Koga and I will make sure of it."
"Alright, that's enough you two." Kagome shook her head at the both of them. "No fighting, okay?"
Koga let out a sigh. "Fine." he muttered. "But only because of you."
"Yeah." Madison made a face. "Speaking of the devil, where is Inuyasha anyways? I don't remember."
"Kaede said he had gone hunting," piped up Shippo. "But I doubt he'll actually come back with anything…"
"True." Sango heaved a sigh. "But while we wait for him to come, we can take these herbs back to Kaede's hut."
"Sounds good." Kagome nodded as she picked up one of the baskets Sango had filled. "Come on, guys. Let's go."
"You got it." answered Madison, following her newfound friends back to Kaede's village.
Meanwhile, deep in another part of the forest, a certain silver haired half-demon stood in a clearing, his mouth closed but his mind racing with a million thoughts. He thought of the expression on Kagome's face when he had stood there previously on that fateful summer's night. He thought of a deceased priestess, the one whom the hanyou had given his heart to.
He thought of many things behind those fathomless eyes of his, but all were interrupted when he heard a calm voice, almost too calm, whisper his name.
Turning around, the boy immediately spotted the woman he loved so much, the woman whom he had vowed to protect for always and forever, but had failed. She sat gracefully upon the branch of a nearby tree, gazing at him with cold brown eyes.
"Kikyo…" the slightly shocked half-demon managed to say at last.
"Inuyasha." she replied, lifting herself off of the branch and going over to embrace him. "I have missed you these past few days."
Inuyasha nodded softly. "I have missed you too."
Kikyo pulled back from the hug. "You are troubled." she said. "I can see it in your eyes. Is this because of my reincarnation?"
He nodded once more, knowing he could never lie to Kikyo.
The dark-haired woman scoffed. "Do not be. You have me, and I will love you more than she ever could."
Again, Kagome's face came to the hanyou's mind, and he said nothing.
Kikyo spoke once more, her voice strained and bitter. "Inuyasha," she said. "Does that girl mean more to you than I do?"
Slowly, deliberately, the boy shook his head. "No." he said aloud. "You will always mean the most to me." Inuyasha pulled Kikyo into a hug. "You know that."
"Do I?" came Kikyo's response. Lifting her head, she gazed into Inuyasha's eyes. "Prove it. Bring me the shards of the Shikon jewel, so that we may always be together." Leaning forward slightly, she kissed Inuyasha on the mouth with lips as cold as ice and death. He responded, kissing her back and ignoring the eerie chill that ran up his spine at her touch. When the two pulled back, Kikyo spoke once more.
"Do not fail me, Inuyasha." she said. "For I love you." Then, taking a step backwards, walked delicately out of the clearing, her soul collectors following close behind her.
After she left, Inuyasha merely stood there, touching a finger to his lips. Kikyo's words repeated in his mind, over and over like a broken record.
Bring me the shards of the Shikon jewel… do not fail me, for I love you… I love you…love you…
Growling angrily, he placed his hands on either side of his head. Her words to him had been so simple, so easily spoken, that it made getting the jewel shards sound so easy.
But could he do it? Could he bring her the jewel shards that she wanted so badly, the same ones he had worked so hard with Kagome and the others to obtain?
Kagome…Inuyasha gave a small sigh as her face came to his mind once more, etched with hurt at the sight of him and Kikyo together. Had he done the right thing, betraying her like that?
No. he shook his head rapidly. He didn't betray her, not really. He had only chosen being with Kikyo over being with her. But wasn't that the same thing, in all sincerity? Well, Inuyasha thought to himself. When I return, I'm sure she'll be there. She always is.
But maybe… Inuyasha pondered to himself as he returned to Kaede's little village.
Maybe this time, I'm wrong.
And so concludes chapter ten! What's Inuyasha going to do? Will he give the shards to Kikyo? Will he pursue Kagome again? Will he come to his senses? Will I stop asking you all these stupid questions? You will have to tune in and see :) Reviews and comments are appreciated, but flames will be dealt with by Koga. And trust me, you do not want to make him mad.
Until next time!
~Pandas