Ruby Red
Chapter 11
***Ruby Red***
Kagome paced around the hut, biting on her nails and muttering incoherent nonsense. Mare had returned two days ago with a missive from the Southern Lord that said that there would be several high ranking demons arriving at the predetermined place in three days' time. Considering the bird had flown for at least a day, the collaborative war council would be arriving today.
And their scouts just confirmed the imminent arrival visually.
"What's wrong with you now?"
Kagome whipped her head around and scowled.
"They're here!"
She resumed her pacing, having figured that those two words would explain everything.
"Yeah, and?"
Kagome paused again and glanced up at the wall in front of her in confusion. Why was he not worried about this?
She felt his arms snake around her shoulder and squeeze her in a hug from behind.
"Relax, would ya? We won't be meeting with them until the morning. All you need to do is lie down and get some rest"
Kagome snorted and pulled out of his arms.
"I don't know why you're so calm, but I can't be calm. I have to talk to them tomorrow…all of them!"
She felt him grab her by the shoulders and spin her around to face him. It really sucked that she was this terrified of the whole meeting council; she felt like a coward.
"Why are you so worked up over this?"
"Because I have to talk to them! Don't you understand? I have to stand in front of a bunch of people and convince them to do what I say. Me! Kagome!"
"I still don't see the problem"
Kagome stepped back and threw her hands up in the air to exaggerate her point.
"I FAILED MY PUBLIC SPEECH CLASS!"
"You what your what?"
Kagome sighed and set Inuyasha with a glare.
"I don't talk well in front of groups of people"
"Keh, sure you do. You talk to lots of people all the time"
"Yeah, but not at the same time…and certainly not a bunch of demons. I'm a Priestess for crying out loud!"
Kagome growled when Inuyasha laughed. How dare he make fun of her?! This was serious!
"Look, you're worrying over nothing."
She felt him pull her hands out and allowed him to lead her to the bedroom as he spoke.
"You're the one with the upper hand. You can just purify them to ashes if they don't listen to you. Won't be too hard."
Kagome sat down on the edge of the bed and scowled.
"It won't be easy…and it isn't nothing."
With that she crawled into bed and dismissed the poor half-demon that had the unfortunate luck of looking after her during her emotional outbreaks.
***Ruby Red***
The next morning, Kagome sat in front of the fire waiting for her water to boil while trying to come up with ways to tint the current era's version of makeup so that it would look more natural than that of a ghost. She had black eyes from not sleeping and stressing herself out over this whole meeting.
Now all she wanted to do was climb back into bed and get some sleep. But the sun was already up and she had a job to get done.
She scowled into the fire and tapped her finger on her chin a few times in thought. There just had to be a way to not look so unkempt at this meeting.
"Hey, can I come in?"
Kagome spun around and stared at Sango for a minute before nodding. After the girl entered, she sat down next to Kagome nudged her in the shoulder.
"What happened to you? You look like death warmed over!"
"Thanks. I couldn't sleep. This stupid meeting has my nerves all on high alert and now I've got the baggy black eyes to prove it. I don't know what to do"
"Well, first you need to stop worrying so much. They came here to hear a solution to their problem. If they don't like your solution then they can look elsewhere…no big deal"
Kagome sighed and nodded. It was one of those things she'd just have to accept.
"Second of all, we need to take care of this look you've got going. Since you're trying to impress a room full of royals, we'll need to make a few adjustments"
Kagome groaned and threw her hands up.
"Great! Now they aren't just demons, they're royalty too?! I just can't win!"
She scowled at Sango's laughter and shoved the girl to the side. What a pain she was turning out to be!
"Come on, I've got a few tricks in my luggage sack. After the twins came, I learned a few things about looking fresh when I felt like I was dead on my feet."
"Thanks Sango, but first I want my cup of tea. At least let me have my caffeine first"
Several arguments, two applications of strange herbal mixtures, and a hot bath later, Kagome stood in the entryway to Kaede's hut and twirled around for Sango to do a final once-over.
"So? Do I look human again?"
Sango laughed and nodded.
"That you do! Now, if I'm not mistaken, you are supposed to meet Inuyasha at the bridge. He's going to take you to the meeting place since he and the Cardinal Lords are the only ones that know where it's going to be held."
Kagome nodded and made her way down the hill, waving goodbye and shouting her thanks over and over. When she reached the bridge, she saw Inuyasha leaning against the post on the far side and had to take a minute to admire his beauty.
She walked up to him and grabbed a lock of his hair, purposely not meeting his eyes when she noticed them open in her peripheral view.
"Wow Inuyasha, you even brushed your hair. This must be a bunch of real important people"
"Yeah, something like that. Let's get moving"
Kagome nodded and took her place on his back. Hopefully this wouldn't be a very long trip. She had her wits about her right now due to Sango's pep talks, but that would only last so long.
***Ruby Red***
As it turned out, the trip only took a few minutes with Inuyasha running. When they arrived, Kagome noticed that the meeting place was nothing more than a large cave. However, it appeared that the cave might not be large enough. There were some seriously huge demons here.
She saw the Great Wolf and walked over to greet him before the meeting started. She took the time to fill him in on all of the things she had been doing since she had left the mountains and was happy to note that he seemed pleased with her activities. Why his approval mattered so much, she wasn't sure…but it did.
"Kagome, it's time to go in"
Kagome turned to Ayame and nodded her thanks.
"Can I sit with you?"
"Of course! Come on, I've already got a nice seat picked out…you can sit on my lap"
Kagome laughed and linked arms with Ayame while they made their way into the cave.
***Ruby Red***
"Gentlemen, gentlemen!"
"Ahem"
"Ah yes, and ladies… please settle down"
Sound echoed all throughout the room, bouncing off of the stone walls as the occupants made themselves comfortable and finished up their conversations. As soon as the room was settled, a tall and lithe being walked to what was designated as the front of the room and bowed.
"Welcome comrades. Most of you know of me, but for those that do not, I am Lord Takashi. My region is in the south where merchant trade is flourishing. However, some new trade has arrived, and with it a new threat. Today, we must discuss this new threat and begin to unearth its purpose."
The tall demon swished his arm to the side and signaled for someone to come up. Everyone's eyes turned to the side to see a half-demon in casting red robes walk up. His name was legend, as was his lineage. The noise in the room was suddenly deafening.
"Comrades, please…contain yourselves"
Takashi waited until the ruckus was lowered to a bass of murmurs and nodded.
"Prince Inuyasha has witnessed several events of concern, as have many of you. However, it is Prince Inuyasha that has laid down a call to arms. Please, Inuyasha-san, explain what you know"
Inuyasha stood proud in front of the score of demons and looked down upon them. They were murmuring such nasty things about him and he was trying to save their asses. Jerks!
"As everyone knows, new traders have invaded our shores. Their wares are being sold throughout the whole of Japan and causing more problems than we need. These traders are not going to go away. What some of you do not know is that they are not just here to trade…they are here to slaughter anyone with an ounce of demon blood."
"LIES!"
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
"THEY ARE HUMAN!"
"WHAT WOULD A HALF-BREED KNOW?"
The shouts among the crowd continued. Outrage poured from every corner.
"SHUUUUT IIIIT!"
Inuyasha turned in surprise and did his best not to cringe at the overwhelming amount of purification she was letting off. He nearly laughed out loud at the yelps heard from those that were unfortunate enough to be sitting next to her. Her presence would not soon be forgotten.
"And why should we listen to a human like you?"
"She is no mere human, Akito. You would do well to watch your words"
Inuyasha smiled when his brother came to Kagome's defense, a dark twinkle lighting up his honey-hued eyes. These guys were in for a rude awakening today.
"Then who is she?"
Inuyasha motioned for Kagome to come up to the front of the room and address the court. If they wanted an introduction, then they would get one.
He watched as she walked to the front of the room, all grace and power, and not a whole lot of clothing. It was certainly a sight to see and he was glad he was getting to see it.
"I am Higurashi Kagome, Priestess of the Jewel of Four Souls. I am here to assist you in your battles against this threat and to prevent the eradication of the demon race."
Laughter poured through the room in droves.
"A priestess cannot use her powers against other human beings. You are no use to us!"
Kagome leaned forward with a smirk on her face.
"I do not need my powers to defeat these men."
"That is impossible! Our strongest armies are struggling against these white faced men. Droves of our comrades have fallen to these war mongering outsiders. What help could you possibly offer? You are nothing more than a weak human girl!"
Kagome stood straight with a smile and nodded.
"I completely agree with that statement. I am nothing more than a weak human girl. However, this weak human girl has something that you do not have and it is the one and only thing that will save your sorry ass!"
"And what is that?"
"Knowledge, you imbecile! Would you like to know the name of the traders? Would you like to know who it is that allows them freedom in our lands? Would you like to know what happens to the Samurai and the Sword? Or perhaps you would like to know the day that you will die. Or maybe you would like to know how you will die"
Okay, maybe she had taken it a little far with the details she claimed to know, but Kagome decided that she'd had enough. When the ruckus rose again and all she could hear was the sneering of those that thought they were better than her, so she turned around and walked to the exit of the room.
"I have no use for your witless discussions about what is happening right now. I've known for years what was to come. Perhaps when you start dying off, you will see the wisdom in working with this weak human girl. Until then, good day gentlemen"
Inuyasha watched her walk out of the room and almost couldn't contain his laughter. She was a spitfire, for sure, but she was so damn moody lately that she wasn't going to take their shit at all. He was seriously loving this side of her!
That was, by far, the best damn introduction she could have had and from the looks of it, he wasn't the only one that thought so.
"Is she a seer?"
Inuyasha turned his attention to the young demon that had quietly asked the one question everyone was curious about. He cocked his head to the side in contemplation. How to answer that…?
"She is nothing of the sort. Her knowledge is beyond your comprehension. Her credibility is infallible"
"Sesshoumaru-sama, with all due respect, how would you know?"
Inuyasha watched in fascination as his older brother made his way to the front of the room to address the council. This was so much better than anything he expected out of today's meeting.
"My business is my own, Raiku. Your only concern need be which soldiers you will place on the front line. Her knowledge is invaluable and will be used to its fullest extent. We have more pressing items to discuss this day"
No one questioned him further on the subject of the mysterious human woman, but Inuyasha was dead set positive that every single one of them wanted to ask anyway.
***Ruby Red***
Kagome stood outside the cave and took a deep breath of air in attempt to tamp down her laughter. She could have stayed and talked and negotiated, but she was just not in the mood to take anyone's crap today. She had surprised herself by talking down to that very powerful demon, but it felt so refreshingly good!
She still didn't think that she was very good at public speaking…public yelling, maybe.
For a few hours, Kagome sat outside of the cave and basked in the shade of the forest. At least it was comfortable here. The only thing that was a little off-putting was the two guards posted at the front entrance.
After a while, sitting became boring though, so she took to walking in and out of the trees, idly playing with her powers and just feeling everything around her.
"You have certainly captured their attention"
Kagome turned her head to the side and watched as he walked up next to her. The guards behind them were almost certainly curious as to why he would be talking with her at all.
"I hope so. They have such precious little time left. I don't have enough time to win over their favor"
"Do you think you could if given enough time?"
Kagome turned to fully face him and considered his question. Could she? Would she be able to get them all to see past their prejudices if she had enough time?
"I don't honestly know. Some of them, yes, but not all of them. It's sad really, that I should be here to help them when they don't even want my help"
She turned back to the forest and waited for him to walk away. It would be terribly rude of her to just up and walk away in the middle of a conversation, but she really didn't want to stay here right now. Unfortunately for her, he didn't seem to be too inclined to move at the moment.
"I need to walk for a while. Would you mind accompanying me for safety's sake?"
He seemed a bit taken aback by her request, but she chalked that up to the fact that there was an audience. She was no fool; she knew that a walk with him would be seen as scandalous, lest she find an appropriate reason to be accompanied by him.
"Your safety is of the utmost importance at this time. Come"
Kagome bowed deeply and followed after him when he began to walk. She wanted so badly to turn around and stick her tongue out at the meddlesome demons and their heightened sense of awareness.
After walking for several minutes, she noticed that Sesshoumaru's gait became shorter and slower. She realized that he was telling her that they were alone and that they did not need to be so secretive at that moment. For that, she was grateful and a little frightened. She didn't know what to say to him because they hadn't parted on the best of terms last time.
"Sesshoumaru I…"
Well hell, what could she say? She didn't really want to talk about anything, but the silence was heavy and awkward. She needed something to fill the space between them.
"This belongs to you"
"Eh?"
Kagome looked up to find her bracelet dangling in front of her eyes. Inuyasha must have given it to him then. Since they were both still in one piece, she could only assume that the conversation hadn't gone too badly. Oh how she wished that she had been a fly on the wall for that little discussion.
"I just thought that… I don't know… you might want it back?"
Wow, that sounded lame even to her!
"Do not be foolish"
She nearly jumped when he reached down and pulled her arm up before slipping the bracelet back on her wrist. Her eyes found his and though she wanted to look away, she just couldn't find it in herself to do so. She was caught in his eyes.
"This will always belong to you"
Kagome hugged her arm to her chest and smiled.
"Thank you"
"We need to talk"
Seriously? That sounded like something her mother would tell her when she had done something wrong. But then again, he had thought that she had done something wrong, hadn't he?
"I…"
"Not here"
With that, Kagome found herself whisked away into the skies once more. He had this bad habit of just sweeping her off her feet and stealing her away to places unknown. If only he would spirit her away instead, then maybe she wouldn't mind it so much.
When they landed a few miles away, Kagome stepped back and swatted his arm.
"You really need to learn how to warn a girl sometimes! I swear I'll have a heart attack one of these times and then you'll really be in for a shocker!"
"I did not wish for others to interrupt"
Kagome laughed and turned in a circle to find a good place to sit. She found a nice outcropping of rock and planted herself down for what was certain to be a riveting conversation.
"Well neither do I. I'm just asking you to consider warning me before you whisk me off to wherever it is you decide I should go next time"
She fiddled with her fingers for a few minutes waiting for him to say something, but it seemed that he was content just staring off into space.
"Soooo… what is it you wanted to talk about?"
She waited for several minutes for him to answer and almost asked again, but he decided to be oh-so-gracious and actually vocally respond to her eventually, so instead she closed her mouth and waited. When he took a deep breath, she was so intrigued that she found herself leaning in to hear his response.
"I misjudged the situation with my brother. After some thought, I realized that there were rash conclusions made with very little fact. It will not happen again"
Kagome reeled back in shock, her mouth falling open wide in a comical display.
"Holy shit! Did you just apologize to me?"
She watched him sit down in front of her, a scowl firmly marring his beautiful face.
"Remember it well. It will not happen again"
Kagome nodded and leaned back to rest her palms behind her on the rock.
"No doubt. I thought that would never happen, so I figure it's a once in a lifetime sort of thing. Too bad it was wasted on something so meaningless"
"Meaningless?"
"Well yeah, I mean, you basically got mad at me for sleeping with your brother when I didn't. And, honestly, that isn't all that important when you think about it"
Kagome blinked and focused on the face that was suddenly directly in front of her.
"It is important to me"
"It is?"
"hn"
Kagome blinked again and thought about what he said, trying to pick out his true meaning.
"Wait…does that mean that you actually care? For me?"
"Is it so surprising?"
"Well yes! No! I don't know…kind of?"
She sat up straighter when he leaned away from her again.
"Woman, you are confusing"
"Yeah, I know. I get it from my mom I think. I'm just saying that it's surprising because you're you and I'm…well, me…and you know, human. But it's not surprising because sex releases a hormone that basically makes you feel more connected to someone. It makes you want to be around them more"
"You are incorrect. I did not become attracted to you after I laid with you…"
"You didn't?"
"No. And you seem to have it in your head that I have something against you because you are human."
"Huh? Why not? Everyone knows that you don't like humans"
"Where did you get that idea?"
"Well, when I first met you, you were telling Inuyasha that humans were a waste of time…you even asked him why he bothered with them or why he would love them."
"Kagome, I was trying to get into his head."
Kagome thought about that for a while and really considered what he had said over the years about humans. When she really thought about it, he was right. He had never said that he didn't like humans, and he did have Rin. Actions speak louder than words, right?
"Okay, so maybe I assumed more than I should have. But if that's the case then why is it so bad that you talk to me? What is that all about?"
"You must understand that when you speak with a male without an escort, be it human or demon, it is inappropriate. However, most demons are concerned that you are trying to mix breed."
"Mix breed? As in, human – demon relations?"
At his nod, Kagome felt her skin boil with indignation.
"So what if I am?!"
Kagome's eyes shot wide and she covered her mouth. That came out wrong…except that she really did mean it. So what if she wanted to 'mix breed'? Why was it their concern anyway?
"Kagome, with another demon that might be possible, but with a Lord in power it is forbidden."
She dropped her hands and stared hard at him to see if he was jesting with her at all.
"Are you telling me that if I wanted to be with you that I couldn't because there is a law forbidding it simply because you are the ruling Lord of the Western Lands?"
"Yes"
She couldn't believe it! She couldn't be with him because of them?!
"Then let them all go to hell! I don't have to listen to their rules!"
She stood up and started pacing. This wasn't fair!
"They can't tell me what to do. I don't have to follow their laws!"
She ran into his chest and looked up to find him looking down at her in concern.
"I do"
"But… but… NO! That isn't FAIR!"
She stepped away from him and turned around, crossing her arms over her chest. It was very warm outside, but she was suddenly feeling very cold.
"It isn't fair"
When she felt his heat at her back, she leaned into him and closed her eyes.
"So I could have had everything I ever wanted if you didn't rule over the West"
She felt his arms circle her waist and his head drop down to her ear.
"Is that what you want?"
Kagome sighed and forced down the urge to cry.
"It doesn't matter now, does it? I have to let you go off on your own and do your Lording while I peasant my poor human ass around here."
"It doesn't have to be that way"
Kagome opened her eyes and stared at the claws that were running across her torso. She unfolded her arms and ran her fingers across his markings.
"How can it be any other way? I can't suddenly become a demon, and you cannot give up your land. There isn't anything else"
She felt him sigh and wondered if there was anything else that she could do.
"Can't you just change the law? I mean, you are the most powerful… you could just kill them if they didn't like it"
"Flattering, but I can't take on the entire demon race. Aren't you trying to save them?"
Kagome turned around in his arms and craned her head back to look into his eyes.
"Then tell me what to do. What am I supposed to do? I shouldn't have to sacrifice my happiness for all of them!"
"You do not have to sacrifice so much. I have a solution. It is not perfect, but it is the only solution that I know"
Kagome allowed him to pull her to the ground to sit, immediately moving to get comfortable in his lap once he was settled.
"If you wish it, you can be mine. You cannot be my mate, but almost everything else is possible"
Kagome bit her lip and thought about what that would mean for her life. She would never be married, but otherwise everything would be just fine…right?
"What about a mate and an heir? Won't you have to have those eventually?"
"Eventually, but not for another couple hundred years or so"
Kagome closed her eyes and allowed the reality of the situation to soak into her being.
"That's why they have that law, isn't it? Because we die off so quickly"
She opened her eyes and saw him nod. Well that was that then, wasn't it? She couldn't really argue with that because in another handful of decades she would be old and withered and die, and he would be young and beautiful and alive. And most importantly, he would be free.
"Would you…"
Kagome took a deep breath to gather her courage.
"Would you wait until I was…gone…to find a mate then? I mean…would I be the only one?"
"Kagome, the only difference between you and a mate is that she will be the crowned Lady of the West and you will be everything else"
Kagome bit the inside of her cheek and cringed. She hated that other people would be so opinionated about their relationship, but if he was willing to put up with their nonsense, then could she really say no?
She wasn't so certain of the answer just yet; she needed time to think. Being with him was the most incredible thing she had ever experienced, and somewhere along the way she had fallen hard for him. She hadn't even fully realized it until the night he accused her of sleeping with Inuyasha. But to give up her life for a half-life was something else. She wasn't so sure that she could do that.
She felt the claws of his hand brush her hair behind her ear and felt a deep rumble soothe her from his chest.
"Your decision can be made when you are ready. I will be here when you decide"
That he understood her need to consider her future was a blessing more than he would know. She hated being rushed into things anymore. As a teenager, she had rushed head first into everything and it had landed her in the middle of death, destruction, and heartache. While she had technically emerged the victor, she fully understood that she did not win. And she wasn't getting any brownie points from the fates by willfully grappling with danger and scandal the way she was now.
Still, she was not willing to let him go so easily.
"Can you just hold me for right now? I just need a little time is all"
She felt his arms tighten around her and let her body fall into his a little more. With a deep sigh, she relaxed in his hold and let her mind take her wherever it wanted to go.
*****RR*****
Three days had passed since her talk with Sesshoumaru and while it was nearly the only thing she could think about, she still didn't have an answer for him. She knew that he was a patient being, but was he really this patient? Even she was getting annoyed with her indecision.
"Hey, can you help me with this?"
Kagome turned to find Inuyasha loaded ridiculously high with armor plates and various close-range weapons. She chuckled and shook her head while trying to relieve him of at least some of his burden.
"Why on earth are you carrying all of this around?"
"Tch, I have to get it to the new armory your boyfriend set up…and I shall not dally"
His voice was a poor impersonation of Sesshoumaru's, but it was still hilarious.
"He's not my boyfriend"
"Really?! Fooled me…and I think the rest of the village too. Anyway, can you help me get this to that new hut by Miroku's old one? That's going to be the store room for the weapons."
"Seems awfully big for a weapons room"
"Hah! Not big enough"
Kagome stopped walking, eyes wide as she took in the sight before her. Since she had arrived back in the village several weeks ago, she hadn't ventured to this side of the layout, having no need for the higher grounds. What lay before her was incredible.
Rows and rows of uniformed men of all races sparred with various tools; targets lined the back hill with archers much farther away than she could imagine being able to strike a target from. Their bows were incredibly different from her old wooden one. The wood of their bows was dark and almost metallic in appearance. The string was made of a material she was sure she had never seen before; they were blood read with little black specks.
The easternmost portion of the field held tents and a few haphazardly made huts. With winter coming in a few months, they would need better housing. They had enough time to build, if only there were enough resources.
"Catch up woman!"
Kagome blinked and turned towards the voice only to find him several meters away. With a shake of her head, she began jogging to catch up with him. Her inspection of the newest additions to the growing town would have to wait.
As they entered the hut, Kagome took a chance to look around. There were weapons of all sorts stored inside already. She couldn't imagine having to be the one to polish all of that metal.
"Put them down over here"
She looked over her shoulder to find him eyeing an empty table. With a little heave, Kagome got all of the weaponry she had carried onto the table and turned to watch him lop everything off with one big sigh.
The clanging of the armor as it fell to the ground was loud, but not nearly as loud as it would have been if the hut were still empty.
"How much more do you need to get?"
Inuyasha turned to her with a smirk.
"That's the last of our own supplies. The rest will be whatever each of the soldiers chooses to store in here for safe keeping."
"Tha- that's so much!"
"Nah, don't worry about it. They're all protective of their swords. Won't let anyone else touch 'em"
Kagome wrinkled her brow. From what she saw, their swords were very conventional; they were nothing like his or Sesshoumaru's.
"But why? I mean, there's nothing special about them. Not like yours and your brothers. Hell, even Sesshoumaru let me touch his sword."
"Yeah, I bet you touched his sword"
She noticed the way he waggled his eyebrows, which only made her fold her arms and scoff.
"Ew, Inuyasha don't be gross!"
"What? It's true!"
"Pervert!"
She punched him in the arm and stormed out of the hut when he started laughing at her. Men sucked sometimes!
"Okay okay, I'm sorry. Hold on"
He had grabbed her arm and turned her to face him, but she didn't look up.
"Hey, what's wrong? I was just joking. I really am sorry"
Kagome choked out a laugh and did her best not to cry.
"It's not you Inuyasha. I'm just…"
She took a deep breath and shook her head; they couldn't talk about this out here. Instead, she started walking away, this time at a much more sedate pace. When Inuyasha caught up with her again, she didn't turn to acknowledge him; instead she kept walking, wanting to get as far away from the soldiers and their leaders as she could. He would most likely be there training with his army.
"Come on, tell me what's wrong"
Kagome looked up at him and smiled a bit sadly. She wanted someone to talk to about it all, and maybe Inuyasha might understand.
"Not here. I don't want everyone listening"
"Well how about my place? No one goes there and hardly anyone is in town at this time of day"
Kagome nodded and walked with him to his hut. It would be good to get this off of her chest. And maybe, just maybe, if she talked about it then it would help her find whatever answer she was looking for.
*****RR*****
"So the law is keeping you from being happy with my brother. Well that makes sense I guess. What are you going to do?"
Kagome shrugged and turned away from him, not wanting to feel his eyes on her.
"I don't know. I want to be with him. I can't even explain how much…I just…I…"
She took a deep breath and let it out as slowly as she could. Every time she even thought about this, she felt like she was going to break down into tears.
"You don't want to be just half of a family"
"Yeah"
"Well, it seems to me that the real question isn't how little you want to get from it, but how much"
"What?"
Kagome turned back towards him to find him standing over her with his hand out. She accepted his hand and pulled herself to her feet.
"Well, imagine what you can do with him around and then think about what it'd be like if he wasn't. He's going to be around anyway, so you'll see him a lot no matter what."
"That's what makes it so hard. Thinking about seeing him all the time, knowing that I wasn't with him…even now it hurts. My heart just…hurts. But being with him and not being allowed to be with him, to have a family, to be his completely…I don't know which one hurts more."
Kagome walked to the door and leaned against the post.
"The hardest part about it all is knowing that I'm going to die one day and that he'll still be young and beautiful and…he'll find someone else and she'll get to have all of those things that I wanted so badly. Till death do us part isn't the same with us."
"Not all of those things. Kagome, she won't have his heart. Not like you do at least"
Kagome looked up and gave him a sad smile. It was true; she had his heart and always would… but was that enough?
"Enough chit chat you two, we have company"
Kagome jumped and stared at the tall male taking up the doorway. Her heart thundered in her chest and she found that she couldn't look him in the eye. When had he arrived? How much did he hear? Thankfully, Inuyasha broke the little spell she was under.
"What sort of company?"
"The kind that would like to spread your entrails in a circle around Japan, little brother"
"Oh, that sort"
"We need to get to the armory. Come"
She felt his hand take hers and pull her along beside him before the wind attacked her face, her hair whipping around in wild patterns. Belatedly, she realized that they were flying.
"Of all people, why him?"
She blinked and stared at the space ahead of them. The armory was cluttered with people trying to get their hands on weapons.
"I thought he might be able to help. He might understand…"
He didn't let go of her hand when they landed; in fact, his grip became stronger and he started pulling her along behind him. When he looked back, there was a cold fury in his eyes that made her want to recoil.
"You could have come to me"
She bowed her head when they stopped walking and leaned back against the wall inside the armory. As she waited for him to gather whatever he found necessary for this battle, Kagome found herself wondering if she had messed up too much.
"I know"
She wanted to cry so badly. Her eyes were stained with her tears, but she refused to let them fall. His finger was soon hooked under her chin and pulled her face up to look at him. She gasped when she met his eyes, so full of so many emotions.
"You need to decide what is more important to you. Inuyasha is right; no other will have what you have"
He bruised her lips with a kiss and swept out of the armory. She ran to the door and watched as he walked away from her.
"Stay here with the slayer. You'll be needed after the battle is done"
Kagome stayed in the doorway of the armory watching until the last soldier had disappeared over the crest of the hill on the southernmost edge of their camps. She watched until she could no longer hear the sounds of their armor and weaponry clanging through the march. And still she watched until the sun dipped low into the sky and painted a myriad of colors, the most vibrant of them red.
She turned and slid her back down the door frame of the armory and stared at the space in front of her. There was a deep agony building inside of her at the possibility of losing him in this battle. It didn't matter that he was the most capable, or the strongest, or the wisest. It mattered that he was mortal enough and that she had been trouble enough to possibly distract him right before the battle.
Her eyes felt light and her body felt heavy. She didn't feel like going to find Sango, or anyone else for that matter. She just wanted this war to be over so that she could see him and be with him and pretend that the rules of his race did not rule over her life. The war was going to be long though; she knew it in her head, could feel it in her bones. Whenever this war was over, she would give him her answer then.
Until the time came, she would just have to hope that he might still hold her close sometimes.
*****RR*****
A/N: Sorry for the delay. I have 'regular-ish' internet access back up and running. I'll do my best to make it up to y'all. We're getting to the meat of the story soon and I don't want to rush that because it's going to get a little complicated. Hang in there with me.
~Ciao