Inuyasha ©Rumiko Takahashi

Beta-Reader: MissKatt


When the Future is Here

11

Fly, Fly Free


Inuyasha's ear twitched when he heard footsteps in the middle of the night. Up from the tree he felt relatively safe, but this place hindered his vision as well. He crouched down on the wide branch and sniffed the air curiously.

The scent of human made him relax some and he sat cross legged as he pondered this information. He frowned when he realized there was no reason for any human to be awake at this ungodly hour, much less wandering through his forest. His forest, not that he ever wanted a piece of useless forest, but well… the villagers indirectly gave it to him so, why not?

As the human got closer, Inuyasha froze. It was Kagome's scent. After a week in her presence her scent became unmistakable. It was impossible not to notice the smell of oncoming danger and a face full of dirt or…at the same time, the smell of someone important.

He hated it.

Kagome was not important to him. Why did her scent spark something deep into his mind? Her scent resembled Kikyo's a little, but it was also different enough to separate them. Kagome smelled of things foreign…while Kikyo always smelled of the forest, healing balms, and the wild flowers.

Their similarities were as many as their differences. It made no sense.

What did Kagome want with him at this hour? The girl was crazy. She was a miko failure, unable to feel auras, and yet she dared wander alone? She was suicidal. Kaede will surely scold her later during the day.

He took a deep sigh and jumped down the tree and blocked her path, "What are you doing wandering alone in the woods?" he barked disrespectfully, "Are you insane?" Inuyasha kept his golden glare on her, but her face was lowered. He then noticed she was wearing her thin sleeping yukata and frowned, "Aren't you cold? Go back to bed, Kagome."

At the mention of her name she raised her head and stared at him.

Inuyasha's lips parted and a silent gasp escaped him. After a moment the shock faded over and a deadly seriousness settled over his face, "Kagome," he called again, but she didn't react. Her eyes stared back at him, but her eyes were different. They glowed an inhuman, hell they didn't look demonic even, pink; a pink that matched the Shikon Jewel's usual glow. "Kagome?" She didn't move…she didn't even seem to be breathing. Frustrated, and Kami forbid he admit scared, he reached out to her.

Instantly Kagome's eyes widened, she sneered and gave a step back. A pink glow engulfed her hands and she presented them to the hanyou menacingly.

Inuyasha fidgeted where he stood, unsure about what to do, but a moment later he gave a step back and lowered his arms, "What's wrong with you?" he asked softly as to not make her react in an abrupt way.

Kagome pursed her lips and lowered her arms. She seemed to take a deep breath and then started walking again. She walked past Inuyasha who remained dead still and went on. The red-clad hanyou decided to follow. Kagome didn't seem to mind his presence… no, she didn't think him a threat to her at all and allowed him to do as he pleased. It was unnerving. Still, he made no comment about it.

Inuyasha's unease grew as the minutes ticked by. With each step the pink glow seemed to engulf her more and more into its translucent pink barrier and he felt his heart sink. He wouldn't be able to reach out to her if something were to happen. He would be risking a limb and possibly his life. Demons, and hanyou, healed fast, but a missing limb took ages to re-grow. They weren't immortal really, just ageless.

Inuyasha stiffened when he felt a brush of air hit him and send his hair flying. Kagome was walking towards a cliff. He kept close behind her, anxiously hoping she wasn't planning to jump down. Sure, he wanted the Shikon Jewel, but…she didn't have to die. Soon someone would take it from her and it would be piece of cake after that… he would have the Jewel and his wish. It was only a matter of time.

She stopped at the edge.

"Kagome," called Inuyasha and his ears flattened unconsciously, "Don't do it."

The young, dark-haired miko turned with glowing pink eyes, "It is fated. It is meant to happen. The timeline is at risk," she said in a voice unlike hers. It sounded distorted, but female still, older.

"Kagome… think about it… you don't have to die," he said pleadingly, "Besides…you don't believe in all that fate bullshit! You say it every day!"

Kagome tilted her head and debated something in her head for a few moments, "I am not going to die," she said and pressed her hands to her chest. A moment later the complete Shikon Jewel fell into her hands and her eyes turned back to their usual dark color, but they still seemed unfocused. "I am going to set things right," then she raised the hand holding the Jewel above her head and her hand began to glow blue.

Inuyasha watched with a frown as her miko powers began to work on the Jewel. He had no idea of what was going on, but he wasn't sure he wanted to ask either. That was not Kagome. It was someone else, something else. Someone seemed to be controlling her…but what?

A bright light caught the hanyou's attention and he glanced up at her hand. The Jewel was hidden inside her closed fist and a pink glow fought its way out from in between her fingers. The bright glow became sharper and sharper by the second until a soft crackling noise was heard.

Dread settled over Inuyasha's heart and he cried out in despair when another crack quickly followed. He hollered a painful, "Nooo!" but it was too late.

Kagome's hand came open and the crackled Shikon no Tama shattered and the pieces shot out in every direction.


xXx

To be continued…

xXx


JeniNeji's Note:

Sorry for the short chapter. My job and I are facing some difficulties which make me want to laze around all day :(

Hopefully I'll recover soon ^^