Chapter 11: Kagome's Lonely Goodbye. Shippo's Tears
Night had faded and the sun had began to creep into the sky pushing away the darkness. Inuyasha awoke with the first rays of the sun and felt... different. He stretched and headed into the forest for a little hunting. He hadn't felt this good in a while.
I feel... refreshed, thought Inuyasha. Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, could Kagome really have been that weight? He felt that same dull pain in his chest as he had every time he had thought of Kagome since... that day. Though some how it wasn't any where near as bad as it usually was. He stretched once more mind on the hunt.
He crouched low and moved soundlessly through the forest his movements swift and deliberate. His eyes soon fell upon a doe grazing in a small clearing and he allowed a smirk to grace his features. He crept closer and closer until he was in range then he struck. Inuyasha leapt forward snapping the doe's neck in one fluent motion. It was a swift and merciful death. Satisfied with his kill he lifted the doe and took it to a near by river to clean and skin it. As he walked he found his thoughts drifting to a place they had not drifted for some time. Sango.
I wonder what Sango thinks about Kikyo joining the group, thought Inuyasha. We do need someone who can see the shards and Kikyo is a great deal more powerful than ' she' was. Inuyasha nodded at his practical thinking. Surely she sees it that way. I suppose I can always pull her aside so we can have a nice talk. He smiled a sad smile as he remembered their last little talk.
Flashback
" I saw... Kagome... kiss... some boy... it was... deep... passionate..." Sango gasped at Inuyasha's statement. She had believed that Kagome loved Inuyasha. She now saw she was wrong. " She enjoyed it... Kami I can still see it clearly in my mind..." Inuyasha trailed off lowering his head to his hands.
" Inuyasha..." Sango trailed off. She didn't know what to say. She then pulled Inuyasha into an embrace on impulse. " Oh... Inuyasha... I..." she held him tighter.
Inuyasha sighed in contentment. He felt calm as soon as Sango pulled him into an embrace. Sango... what are you doing to me, thought Inuyasha. Your touch took away all the pain. Could I really be in love with Sango? It sounds crazy , but feels right. He sighed. I don't know what to think anymore. I'll figure this all out later for now I'll just enjoy being here. With Sango. He then wrapped his arms around Sango who gasped in response. She hadn't expected this. She recovered quickly laying her head on his.
The two sat neither saying a word. Both in deep thought enjoying each others company. They sat together in each other's arms just content to be together.
End Flashback
Her embrace had been so comforting. Could I really be in love with her? The sound of running water pulled him from his reflection and he found that he had arrived at the river. He dropped the doe by the water with a thud and sat down next. He quickly went to work skinning it using his claws. Me and Sango, thought Inuyasha. Stranger things have happened.
Sango found herself waking from one very pleasant dream. It felt so real... his lips were so soft... She shook her head. It was only a dream. She stretched and looked into the sky. The sun had just risen into the sky and it would be a little while before the others were to awaken. She looked into the tree where Inuyasha had gone to retire for the night and found that he wasn't there. Sango felt a slight disappointment at not seeing him there, it was strange, but she felt like she needed to see him. It was then she noticed something was poking her in her back. She reached back and was surprised when her hands closed around a glass bottle. It was the jewel shards.
She blinked twice. " I guess she left them." She shook off the new discovery and her mind came back to Inuyasha. She just had to see him." I'll go look for him. " Said Sango to herself. She picked up her weapons and headed into the forest in search of Inuyasha. She walked on with no idea of where she was going with only this unknown feeling guiding her. She soon found herself at a river where Inuyasha was cleaning a freshly skinned kill. He seemed completely unaware of her presence just as he had been when she saw him at the lake. She walked to him and sat next to him just as she had before. " Inuyasha." Sango said Softly causing him to jump slightly. The look he gave her was one of utter surprise and she couldn't help but smile.
" Sango... what are you doing here?"
" Looking for you." Sango replied quietly
" For me? Why?" Inuyasha's voice showed his obvious confusion.
" I... just..." Sango trailed off.
" Just what?" Inuyasha persisted.
" I... just... had to see you." Sango refused to meet his eyes as she spoke.
" I... we... we need to talk Sango."
Sango's head snapped up at this. " Ok... lets talk."
Kagome woke to the glare of the sun shining through the small window in Kaede's hut. Shippo was laying against her having caught up with her on her trek to the well. They decided it would be better if she just spent the night in Kaede's village and went to her time in the morning. As she stretched and looked around a sad smile crept on to her features and one thought was on her mind. This is the last time I'll ever see this place. It caused a dull ache in her chest. She looked at Shippo as he lay sleeping soundly. Without thinking she picked him up and embraced him causing him to wake up. He was confused at first, but soon he returned the embrace. They stayed that way for a while until Kagome finally let go putting Shippo down.
" It's time for me to go." Said Kagome holding back her tears.
" I don't want you to go!" Cried Shippo as he clung to her leg.
" I know but I have to. You can walk me to the well ok."
Shippo simply nodded and walked with Kagome. Their walk was one made in complete silence and a thick air of sadness hung about the two as they walked on toward the well. It only became more tense once they found themselves at the well. She turned to Shippo and crouched in front of him pulling him in one last hug.
" Be good ok Shippo. I'm going to miss you." Said Kagome tears streaming down her cheeks.
" I'll miss you too." Replied Shippo as he wiped away a tear.
" Good bye." Said Kagome as she sat on the lip of the well. She took one last look at what she would be leaving behind before she swung her legs over and dropped into the well.
" Good bye Kagome." Whispered Shippo before he turned away and headed away from the well. He hadn't gotten far before something unexpected happened.
Boom
Lightning struck just in his path startling him back.
" What the hell!" Cried Shippo. He squinted trying to see the figure in the dust. Then it spoke.
" Hello Shippo. Remember me?"
A/N: Yea I know it's short. Really short, but hey it's a chapter. I'm getting this done in fits and starts, but at least I'm posting. Oh and for the record I don't hate Kagome, at least not all the time, though she is very annoying. Sorry about the cliff hanger ,but hey aren't they just so much fun? I'm still open for suggestions so feel free to send em my way. I'll try to update soon so look out for the next chapter and I'm also updating my other stories soon. Read and Review! And just say no to penguins.
