Sticking to the tree tops, Inuyasha did his best to keep out of sight as he trailed after Amara through the forest. He had watched her leave Kaede's hut, a look of sadness in her eyes and he could sense the depression around her. He cringed as he remembered the last time he saw her like this. Fifty years later and he was still hurting her. What was his deal? The one person that meant most to him in this world and he couldn't even put a smile on her face. He didn't understand why Amara stayed around him so much.
Cause she loves you, duh. We've been through this before.
Inuyasha sighed heavily at his inner thoughts. He didn't know what to believe...he was confused. There were times when Amara acted strangely...when she said something that completely threw him off. Like the bit about settling down and having kids with him. The thought of that caused his cheeks to redden. She had looked and sounded serious. He wanted to ask her, but he didn't want to at the same time. His golden gaze watched her move about. Just by looking at her, he felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. Why? Was it just the excitement from being away from her for so long and finally seeing her again? That had to be it...
"Inuyasha...I know you're up there. Might as well come on down and talk to me instead of hiding."
Inuyasha cringed as she called him out. Damn. He needed to be a little more stealthy next time. Jumping from his spot in the tree, he landed in front of her, his eyes immediately locking on her emerald ones. Though she met him with a smile, her eyes were an open book. Something was wrong.
"Why were you trying to stalk me?"
Scoffing, Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn't stalking...just following. Shrugging his shoulders, he sighed.
"I saw you leave Kaede's hut. You looked upset...still do. I was worried..."
Amara wanted to cry. Her emotions were so out of whack, just hearing him voice concern for her made her want to bawl. Clearing her throat, she nodded.
"Don't worry about me, I'm okay."
"You sure?"
As she nodded, Inuyasha drew his brows down in a frown. He wasn't about to believe that lie. Reaching out, he tugged gently on a strand of her crimson hair.
"I know better than that. It may have been fifty years since we last saw each other, but you haven't changed. Your eyes will always give you away."
That done it. Her eyes filled to the brim with tears as she let all the fears she held in out.
"I'm so worried about Miku. That monster Naraku has her and it's hard telling what he is doing to her. If I weren't so weak, I could go after her...but I would only get hurt again. I couldn't defeat him at full strength, what can I hope to do with broken ribs and a broken hand? I'm completely useless."
Inuyasha hadn't been prepared for her tears or the news. He had wondered where Miku was, but hadn't got around to asking. Then the name she said made something click.
"Did you just say, Naraku?"
Amara simply nodded as she fought back the tears that were dangerously close to falling. Reaching out for her, Inuyasha pulled her against him and held her close.
"We will get her back from that bastard. We've been after him for months now."
"You have?...why?"
"Because he is collecting the jewel shards as we do. Not to mention he has cursed Miroku and destroyed Sango's entire village."
Naraku was a terrible demon and he had to be stopped. But, why would he kidnap Miku? That puzzled Inuyasha.
"Why did he take Miku in the first place?"
Amara shrugged her shoulders as she wiped at her eyes.
"I'm really not sure. He had said something about using her as bait to get to me. But...I don't understand why. He acted like he knew me, but I've never come across the man before."
Any demon she came across that was that evil, she always killed. So, the simple fact he was still alive was proof enough that she had never met him before. And still the thoughts of what could be happening to her best friend tormented her.
"I have to get her back...I have to. I couldn't possibly live with myself if anything happened to her."
Inuyasha closed his eyes at the pain he heard in her voice. He knew first hand just how she felt when it came to those she loved. For ten years she protected him no matter what and if he got hurt she blamed herself. The same thing went for Miku. Amara would make herself sick with blame if anything happened to the blonde cat demon. Rubbing soothing circles over her back in an attempt to comfort her, Inuyasha placed his cheek on top of her head.
"We will get her back and she will be okay. She's a feisty one, just like you. I'm sure she's making Naraku regret his decision."
Amara knew he was doing his best to comfort her, but she couldn't be comforted. Miku was tough, but not that tough. She just hoped and prayed that Naraku didn't hurt her. While she was worrying herself sick over Miku, she also couldn't help but enjoy the moment with Inuyasha. It had been so long since he held her like this, oh how she had missed it too. Burying her face against his chest, she took in his scent and sighed happily.
"Inuyasha...I'm sorry to interrupt but we got a situation..."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes on Miroku just slightly in annoyance. What could be so bad that he had to come spoil the time he had with Amara?
"What situation?"
"Sesshomaru is in the village."
That kindly shocked Inuyasha and Amara pulled out of his arms to give Miroku a stunned look herself. That was not what they were expecting.
"Sesshomaru? He best not be trying to start a fight with Inuyasha. I am in no mood to break it up today..."
Miroku shook his head at Amara's words. Normally that's exactly what Sesshomaru was up to when he showed up, but not this time.
"Actually...he's asking for you, Amara. There's also a strange woman with him, I've never seen her before."
Amara's heart skipped a beat at that. Could it be Miku? Not waiting for either Miroku or Inuyasha she took off back to the village. As she entered, she caught Sesshomaru's scent...and Miku's. It was coming from the direction of Kaede's hut. Not slowing her pace, she dashed through the village, dodging villagers and children till she came to her destination. As soon as she saw Sesshomaru, she came to an abrupt stop, her heart pounding with her excitement.
"Where is she?"
Sesshomaru's golden eyes turned to look at Amara, one brow rose as he took her in. She really hadn't changed a bit in the last fifty years.
"Hello Amara."
Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, she nodded towards him.
"Sesshomaru...where is she? Where's Miku?"
"Amara!"
Turning, all Amara saw was a flash of blonde dart out of Kaede's hut before she was tackled to the ground. Yes, pain shot all through her, but she ignored it as she held Miku close to her and laughed and cried all at the same time. She was finally complete again. She had both Inuyasha and Miku back, all was well again. Taking Miku's face in her hands, Amara kissed both her cheeks and hugged her tightly.
"I'm never letting you go again. Never!"
Miku laughed at Amara. She was so happy to see her. The second she heard her talking, her excitement got the better of her. She hadn't meant to tackle her to the ground, but she had been so worried for her.
"Same here. I have been dying without you. I thought that prick killed you."
Amara scoffed at that. Not likely.
"I'm harder to kill than that, Miku."
It was then that Amara noticed the lump on Miku's left temple. Her gaze narrowed as a rage coursed through her.
"What happened to your head?"
Pulling back, Miku cringed at having to tell her what happened. Amara was definitely gonna kill him now.
"Naraku hit me and caused me to hit my head on a rock."
You could easily see the murderous rage inside Amara's green eyes.
"Calm down. It's all good. Sesshomaru came in and saved me before anything else could have happened."
That calmed her alright, but just because it shocked her. Turning to look up at Sesshomaru, Amara gave him a curious look.
"You saved her?"
With his arms crossed, all Sesshomaru did was nod his head in answer.
"WOW. You saved her? What in the hell made you do that?"
Amara and Miku both sighed as Inuyasha came up and started smart mouthing. Miku helped Amara up and turned her blue gaze on Inuyasha.
"Don't start any shit with him Inuyasha. He saved my life and has been taking good care of me the past couple days."
Inuyasha held his hands up in defense. Dang she hadn't changed...still feisty as hell.
"I wasn't trying to start nothin'. Just not like him to go around saving people."
Miku simply stuck her tongue out at him and continued to cling onto Amara. She really made him want to knock her in the head really good, but he held back.
"Hey, why don't you be careful there. Amara's got some broken ribs and injuries that have yet to heal."
Miku immediately released her with a horrified look on her face. Amara shot Inuyasha a dirty look.
"Inuyasha.."
"What? I was just saying."
"Are you okay? Oh god, I tackled you to the ground, did I hurt you? I'm so sorry!"
Taking her hand, Amara shook her head.
"Calm down Miku. I am okay. My ribs and everything else is almost healed, so don't worry."
"What happened? Was it Naraku?"
"No. I got into a fight with Kikyo.."
Miku balked at that. Kikyo?
"I thought she died?"
"Well, she is dead...the only thing keeping her alive is the souls of the dead."
That made...total sense. Fifty years have went by and it seemed like they were stuck in the same rut. Kikyo and Amara fighting...Inuyasha being stupid. Looking over at Inuyasha, Miku narrowed her gaze on him.
"So, you gonna be smart or stupid this go round?"
"What the hell do you mean?"
"Regarding Amara and Kikyo. You gonna be smart and stick with Amara or be stupid and ditch her for the damn bitch again?"
Amara jerked on Miku's hand to stop her.
"Miku, hush."
"No. I will not put up with his hurting you again. He wasn't the one who had to comfort you as you cried your heart out. He wasn't the one who had to watch you almost starve yourself to death the day he died because you refused to leave his side."
Each word Miku said tore at Inuyasha. He knew he had hurt her, but he hadn't realized how badly. Miku spoke the truth and he had no excuse for his actions.
"I never meant to hurt her..."
Amara couldn't stand it. The sadness and guilt she could see clouding Inuyasha's beautiful golden eyes...it tore at her. Releasing Miku's hand she approached him.
"Don't pay any attention to Miku. I'm not hurting anymore, I'm perfectly fine. We're finally together again and that's all I've ever needed."
"But before..."
Amara shook her head to stop his words. Taking his hand in hers, she brought his knuckles up to her lips and she placed a tender kiss to them.
"The past is in the past Inuyasha. As long as I never have to live without you again, I will be okay."
Miku scoffed and rolled her eyes. She was happy Amara and Inuyasha were together again. To see that light back in Amara's eyes that was missing all this time. Miku was very happy for her best friend...but she felt that Amara was letting Inuyasha off way to easy. He needed to figure out where his loyalties lie...with Amara or Kikyo. He couldn't have them both...they already found that out over fifty years ago. He was going to have to choose.
"Forgive him all you want Amara, but I will not. The man is going to have to grow up and choose. And if he chooses that dead bitch over you again, I will kill him."
Amara sighed and shot Miku a disapproving glare that didn't faze the woman one bit. She should have known getting Miku and Inuyasha together was a bad idea...Miku was too overprotective of her and angry at Inuyasha to keep her mouth shut.
"Glare at me all you want, I don't care. I refuse to sit back and watch history repeat itself. I love you too much to watch you go through that again."
"Miku just let it go already. That was fifty years ago. Nobody is perfect."
"I know that, but his problem is he's freaking stupid. He chases after Kikyo looking for something he already has with you."
Turning her blue gaze on Inuyasha, Miku directed her next words directly at him.
"You want someone to love and accept you? Well how about you open your eyes and look at the woman standing in front of you. She loves you more than life itself and would do anything in the world for you. You are the love of her life, now stop breaking her fucking heart cause you want to be stupid."
Amara's face paled, then turned completely red with embarrassment as Miku told everyone around about her feelings for Inuyasha. Sure she had said she loved him in front of everyone and perhaps they already had a guess that she was in love with him, but Inuyasha didn't grasp that yet. She pulled her hand out of Inuyasha's and refused to make eye contact with him as she glared daggers at Miku.
"You are so dead."
Realizing exactly what she had said in her anger, Miku sweat dropped and held her hands up as Amara glared at her.
"Ah...shit...Amara..."
Amara's heart was pounding and it also felt like there was a vice grip on it causing it to hurt. Placing her hand over her chest, she shook her head and darted off at a dead run out of the village. How could she possibly face Inuyasha now? She was going to tell him how she felt, she was working her way towards that. It was something she wanted to do when they were alone, not with everyone around. But now Miku shot that all to hell.
