Chapter 36- Christmas Reunions
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
Thanks to:
GnomeInuyasha (Lol. Glad you forgive me--I couldn't resist.); Drake Clawfang; Akida411searcher (How could I what?); Moonlitephox; Ryoko Ao Midori (I'm not crazy about action either, and I absolutely detest writing it); Owari Nai Yumes (Re-read chapter 27 for more Shippou and Rin); Silent Spectre; Brigurl
I appreciate everyone who reads and/or reviews my fanfic. Love to you all.
Naraku chuckled as he stepped forward, allowing his baboon pelt to fall back just enough that they could see his twisted grin jeering at them from beneath the hood. "I see that destroying my army has not fazed you in the slightest. That was my mistake. Next time, I will help even the balance, and by doing so, the score."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes while standing warily in his battle stance, but said nothing. Sesshoumaru, also, remained silent, staying his mate with a soft growl when she tried to move beside him.
Naraku's eyes flicked haughtily over the three of them. "Are you really so surprised to see me that you can't even speak? I did not expect this from you, Inuyasha."
"Shut up, bastard! I'm ready when you are!"
The abomination chuckled again before resting his eyes on Kagura, who was straining to see over Sesshoumaru's shoulder. "Ah, Kagura! How lovely to see you again." Ignoring the Inu no Taisho's threatening growl, he continued. "Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you had betrayed me…" He grinned at her. "At first I was angry, oh, very angry. But then I realized…that I will have the pleasure of squeezing the life out of you. Your blood will be sweet, Kagura."
"To get to Kagura, you will first have to go through this Sesshoumaru. I will cut you down, Naraku."
The hanyou ignored the inu youkai and turned to Inuyasha. "And you…your miko is not here."
It was not a question; Inuyasha tightened his grip on Tessaiga and ground his teeth together. Naraku was purposely trying to goad him, and he realized that. But it was working.
"I found her alone, Inuyasha. Alone and cursing your name. I have never tasted anyone so sweet—her blood was so warm…Kagome…she was delicious."
The inu hanyou's eyes widened in fear and shock as Naraku's words registered. His shoulders began to shake with a silent rage, one that was slowly consuming him, and, for a moment, he saw red.
"Do not be deceived, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru's cold voice shocked him enough to yank him out of his transformation, Tessaiga or no. "He merely wants the pleasure of destroying us when we have no self. He has not touched your miko. Do not be stupid enough to transform."
"I know that," he snarled, slowly lifting his eyes to meet his opponent's. "But I swear…I'll kill you for daring to say her name, you filthy bastard." Without a second thought, he sliced through the air with Tessaiga, the waves of the Kaze no Kizu mixing with those of Tokijin as they glided forward, threatening to plow through the evil being.
Naraku's barrier shielded him from the attacks, and he sent four thick tentacles sailing toward them.
Inuyasha grunted as he cut them away. "I won't make that mistake again, Naraku." In a single pulse, the Great Fang was blood red, and the barrier was obliterated in a single blow.
Sesshoumaru ran forward, cutting and slicing at anything that got in his way as he worked his way toward his foe, his face void of all emotion.
"Fuujin no Mai!"
Swift and deadly blades shot from the wind sorceress' fan from where she stood, unprotected.
"Kagura, no!"
Inuyasha's eyes flew from to his brother, who actually looked…frightened. Suppressing a shudder, he looked for Kagura. The woman near him stood in a defensive stance, her fan held protectively in front of her as five tentacles threatened to run her through.
"Fuujin no Mai."
All of the runners but one were destroyed, and, without thinking about it, Inuyasha tackled her, taking most of the blow by shielding her with his body. He'd managed to avoid getting either of them impaled, but was ruthlessly knocked away by a returning tentacle.
He hit the ground with a sharp yelp and a loud pop.
"Inuyasha!" Kagura yelled as she leapt to her feet to face the runners that came at them again, but this time Sesshoumaru was there. She joined in the attack, destroying runners, buying time for Inuyasha, and dragging some of Naraku's attention away from Sesshoumaru as the youkai drew closer to his body. "Fuujin no Mai!"
With a grimace, the hanyou sat up, clenching his teeth in pain as he placed a clawed hand on his left shoulder. 'One…two…three.' In a swift movement, he pushed his shoulder back in its socket with a soft moan and stood, trying to ignore the quickly inflaming flesh. He'd be fine by tomorrow morning. And besides…he could handle Tessaiga with one hand.
"Naraku."
"Don't know when to stay down, do you, hanyou?" came the cruel chortle.
Lifting his huge katana effortlessly, he leveled it with Naraku's head. "Kaze no Kizu!"
The evil hanyou was instantly engulfed in bright yellow flames, his laughter remaining long after his body was destroyed. In its place lay a tiny wooden doll with a single hair wound tightly around it.
"A puppet…"
"Watch, Kikyou. Watch how easy it is to get those weaklings riled up." Naraku threw his head back and laughed as Kagura glared at the offending puppet trying to stalk around Sesshoumaru.
He sat beside a puddle of blood, which had instantly cleared to reveal the faces of those fighting. Kikyou had seen it before, but it still disgusted her. She stared in contempt at the hanyou laughing at the pain the puppet's harsh words caused. He was revolting.
His greasy black hair snaked down his bare back, clinging to his scar—the spider. The only thing that covered him was the baboon pelt wrapped securely around his waist.
Kikyou finally did turn her head to the crimson mirror when she heard Naraku address Inuyasha. "And you…your miko is not here."
The undead miko suddenly felt sick. 'No…he wouldn't…' But he would, and he did. Naraku knew no low.
"I found her alone, Inuyasha. Alone and cursing your name. I have never tasted anyone so sweet—her blood was so warm…Kagome…she was delicious."
She watched Inuyasha's features intently, watching the emotions that flickered over his face at his threatening words. First shock, then fear, anger, and…rage. He gripped Tessaiga tightly in his hands, but he was threatening to transform. She watched as jagged purple lines faded in and out across his cheeks, as his eyes flashed scarlet.
She did not stay to watch any more. "You are a monster."
His laughter followed her out of the gruesome garden.
Kagome sighed happily as she placed the last of her presents under the beautifully decorated tree. She thoughtfully plucked at a limp ribbon, trying to perk it up. 'Only three more days until Christmas…'
It had taken her forever to buy all of her presents—especially those of her friends back in Sengoku Jidaii.
She frowned as the ribbon slowly deflated and tweaked it again. 'How can you choose a present for friends that you risk your life with almost every day? There really isn't anything I could get them that would mean enough…'
'They'd love anything you gave them, you know that.'
Wrinkling her nose, she plopped forward, settling on her stomach to probe the finely wrapped gifts with her gray eyes.
Her eyes traced the shape of one of the presents.
Kaede was easy enough. The young miko believed her elder would be pleased with a medical dictionary and some modern ointments.
She also decided that Miroku and Sango would enjoy something for their new house. She'd seen it, and loved it, and sat Inuyasha for not telling her about it even though he had helped build it. She'd settled on a simple, elegant quilt. She couldn't understand why but after she'd seen the pale yellow and white designs on it, she couldn't ignore it. It screamed Sango. She'd also picked up a few cat treats for Kirara.
Miroku—well, she blushed when she stared at the small, wrapped box meant for him. She'd seen the way the monk looked at Sango, the complete adoration in his eyes when he watched her cook, fight, clean, sleep… Their marriage was postponed until after Naraku was destroyed because of the risk of having…'pups', as Inuyasha called them. Maybe her present to him would enable their marriage to take place sooner than they had believed.
Kagome's eyes fell on two boxes meant for the kitsune. He was easy enough too. First off, she had gotten him a paint set, but when she passed the magic store in the mall, she knew she had to get him something from there too.
Last, but certainly not least, was her gruff hanyou. She looked in every shop for something that was worth his time. She knew he would accept anything she offered him, but…why wasn't that enough for her? Finally, after two days of searching every shop she passed, she found something that caught her eye.
She tentatively reached out to touch the downy silver faux fur blanket and marveled in its softness. She couldn't bring herself to wrap it. Not yet, anyway. It was the silver that first grabbed her attention, and once she felt it, she knew she couldn't leave it behind. The color…was the exact same hue as Inuyasha's hair, and it was just as soft as his ears. She was even more relieved when she discovered the fur was faux; somehow she knew Inuyasha wouldn't relish the thought of wrapping up in a dead animal. But then again…he did have that fire rat fur of his…
With another contended sigh, she brought the blanket to her, draping it over her shoulders, admiring the way the long fur buried her fingers when she grasped it. Inuyasha would love it. She knew he would.
She started when she felt arms wrap around her, but smiled, nonetheless, when her mother kissed her forehead. "You must miss him."
"I do, but that can't be helped. I woke up feeling so happy today, Mama." She couldn't contain her smile that twisted at her as she let her head fall back against her mother's shoulder. "He's coming for me. I know it."
"That's wonderful, dear. I'm sure he'll be here soon." Mai gave her daughter a reassuring squeeze and stood up. "Now, if you're going over to Shippou's for dinner, you'd better go get ready. It's almost five, you know."
With a gasp, she shot up, leaving the blanket in a pile of the floor as she flew out of the room, stopping only long enough to ruffle Souta's hair as she ran by.
"Ugg! Thanks, Sis," he grouched at her retreating back, clutching his playstation controller tighter. "Now, he's winning!"
She giggled and ducked into the bathroom at the top of the staircase.
Mai smiled as she carefully picked up the blanket, folding it neatly before placing it back under the fir tree. It was so nice to see Kagome smiling again, to see her so happy again. And she was quite looking forward to seeing her oldest son return unharmed, herself. She could only imagine how much her daughter wanted to see him.
Mai glanced at the clock again. Shippou and Rin would be here in an hour to pick Kagome up.
88888888
Time flew by while she busied herself with the exasperating task of making herself presentable, and before she knew it, the doorbell rang.
"Got it!" She called, her feet pattering down the staircase, but Souta was there first.
"Who are you?" he asked the guest bluntly.
Kagome pulled him away from the door with a small growl. "Souta! That was rude!" She lifted her eyes to the door and received a pleasant surprise. "Rei!" She leaned forward to hug him. "It's good to see you again."
He blushed and scratched the back of his head. "Er…thanks. You too?"
She grinned and invited him in. "I swear you're so much like Inuyasha, it's almost frightening."
Behind her, Souta tugged shyly on her blouse. "Who is he?" he whispered loudly to his sister, "and why are you hugging him."
Rei's face shot up in flames, but Kagome seemed unaffected by the embarrassing question. He coughed loudly.
"Souta, this is Inuyasha's nephew, Rei." She frowned thoughtfully. "I suppose that makes him like…family."
Souta's eyes bugged out of his sockets. "Are you strong like Inuyasha?"
He scoffed, and the haughty nature that he was almost cured of, returned for a moment. "This Rei is thousands of times stronger than that half—"
He was cut off by Kagome's quelling glower as she cleared her throat. "What he means, is are you a youkai or hanyou?" Her sugary sweet voice chilled him to the bone.
With a nervous smile at the kid, he said, "Yeah…I'm youkai."
"There! That wasn't so hard, was it? I can't understand why you all can't get along for a single day without throwing insults around—and Inuyasha isn't even here! Have you even met him?"
"Er…"
As quickly as her smile had disappeared, it reappeared, and she clasped her hands together in front of her. "Now then, was there something you wanted, Rei?"
"Yeah," he said slowly, narrowing his gaze curiously at her, "I'm here to take you to dinner."
Her eyebrows disappeared under her fringe of bangs. "…What?"
"Shippou couldn't pick you up because he had some…other task at hand. He wanted me to bring you by."
She relaxed instantly. "Oh…" When he eyed her suspiciously, she asked, "Shippou isn't in any trouble, is he?"
Rei grinned. "He and Rin had a falling out."
"Oh? And that makes you happy, does it?"
His grin broadened. "He was stupid enough to carry Hareru to the roof of their house and get caught. Rin still hasn't forgiven him. And yeah, I think it's funny as hell."
Kagome groaned when she noticed Souta's eyes grow larger; she knew that with each word Rei said, Souta's admiration for him grew. 'Another Inuyasha-ish role model? Not good…'
"You ready?"
"Yeah. I am."
Flashing a grin at Souta, who remained transfixed at the doorway, the youkai closed the door softly behind them.
"Kagome! It's so wonderful to see you again!"
Kagome could only stare as an elegant figure swept toward her, pulling her into a hug before pulling back to stare the girl in the eye.
'That's strange,' she realized as the woman offered to go pour her some apple cider, 'I thought I would be used to shock by now.'
The woman was quite beautiful with short black hair that fell to her shoulders and curled under. Her sharp features were relaxed into a small smile, a natural smile, and all of her movements were graceful. 'Graceful…like the…wind.'
"Kagura?" She had known that the wind sorceress was here of course, courtesy of Rei, but she was completely different than she remembered. She looked so happy.
"Yes. I thought you knew I was here. Sesshoumaru said that you knew…" Her small smile twisted into a concerned frown.
"I did. I was just surprised is all. It's nice to see you all again. It's like a link to a world I can't quite reach right now." She gratefully accepted the cider that Rin offered. She didn't miss, however, the marked frown that the young woman had directed towards Shippou, who was laughing nervously in the corner with Rei and Sesshoumaru trying to avoid his mate's glower.
"'Gome?"
The miko glanced down at Rin's youngest daughter, Hareru, to find her tugging on her pants. With a grin, she scooped the child up, cradling her against her chest. "Well hello there, Hareru! Are you ready for Christmas?"
The toddler grinned and nodded. "I want a doll!"
Kagome gasped in exaggerated delight. "A doll? That sounds like a great present."
Rin sat next to the young woman on the couch. "You're so good with kids. Are you and Inuyasha going to start a family soon?"
She smiled at the child in her arms, a light blush claiming the bridge of her nose. "Well, we haven't exactly…not yet. I don't think we should have children yet though. At least, not until Naraku is no longer a threat."
She didn't notice Rin look away quickly, locking eyes with Kagura. The wind sorceress cleared her throat and walked into the kitchen.
"So…Shippou tells me that you're a great artist, Rin."
"Well, I don't know about 'great', but I do paint, yes."
The miko laughed. "Nonsense. You were always a creative child—I remember that the most about you. Well, that and the fact that you were always happy."
"Would you like for me to show you some of the work that I haven't put in my studio yet? I'm sure I have a painting you would like."
"Would you? I mean, if it isn't too much trouble…"
Rin brightened. "Follow me."
She led Kagome into a dark room at the end of the hall, pausing long enough to flip on the light switch before walking into the room.
Kagome gasped. It was a rather large room, and art was everywhere—beautiful art. Skillfully painted vases lay carefully along the corners of the wall; Charcoal pictures were displayed on the walls and carefully stacked on the floor with wax paper stuck between each, protecting them from smudges. Ink drawings leaned against the walls, as did beautifully done paintings.
Flowers, mountains, children playing in the park, abandoned barns, couples in love, her own children…these were obviously a few of Rin's favorite subjects.
"Rin…" she whispered, letting her fingers hover over a painted portrait of Shippou and their children but made sure she didn't touch it.
"Come, Kagome. I have one to show you." Rin led her to the other side of the room and moved a painting out of the way to reveal the one hiding behind it.
The miko's hand flew to her mouth as she gasped, hints of tears prickling behind her eyes. A beautiful painting, beautiful didn't describe it really…
The painting was so perfect, so lifelike, that it could have been taken by camera. There on a grassy hill sat Kagome and Inuyasha. The hanyou had drawn her close, splaying his fingers across her stomach with one hand and leaning his forehead against hers. She had one hand caressing the side of his cheek. Both were grinning, practically glowing as if they had some joke that only they knew, that only they would ever understand. Behind them, the sun was setting, but they were oblivious to the dawning dusk.
Her throat constricted painfully, and she swallowed the large lump that had lodged itself there. "Oh, Rin…" she managed to choke out, "It's…it's beautiful."
"I never forgot seeing you two there that day. It's something that was etched in my mind for hundreds of years, Kagome. It begged me to paint it. Does that sound crazy?"
"No, Rin." Her laughter was thick, as though full of tears, but none fell. "Not at all." She smile brightened even more when she realized what the woman had inadvertently said. This was Rin's memory, but Kagome had never seen it. It was a thing of the future…Inuyasha was coming home. She knew he was; she could feel it, but it was nice to be assured by someone other than her mother.
"I…I want you to have it."
The miko instantly sobered. "What? No, Rin. I couldn't possibly…"
"Really, Kagome. You want it. You know you do. I'm giving it to you."
"I…I can't," she murmured sadly, reaching out to touch the painting with a trembling hand. Before she could feel it, she drew her hand back as though it had scalded her. Truth was she did want it. She felt drawn to it, but she couldn't take Rin's painting that she had obviously worked so hard on. She almost felt as though she didn't deserve anything this…beautiful, idealistic, this…untouchable.
"Really, Shippou! It wasn't funny. What if she had fallen?" Rin exclaimed, scooping some potatoes onto her plate and passing the bowl to Kagome.
"Rin…honey…" Shippou began way to tolerantly. Kagome winced—his tone wouldn't help his case at all. But she already knew…he was found guilty before he was even tried. "Have you forgotten that I'm a youkai? I have like…super strength, and…and…"
"You have magic tricks," Rei muttered darkly beside him. He was thumped by an offended kitsune.
Sesshoumaru snorted and turned to Kagura. "Pickles?" His smug smile suggested that he knew damn well his mate despised the food.
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head quickly. "And you will be brushing your teeth before you come near me."
Rin exasperatedly turned to Kagome. "What about you? Does Inuyasha ever do anything completely and utterly stupid?"
Another indelicate snort from Sesshoumaru.
Kagome made a face as she stared at her food. "…Define 'stupid'," she said slowly.
"Apparently your memory fails you, Rin. That baka has little, if any, sense. I do not doubt that if it were not for the miko, he would no longer be alive."
"He's not that bad, Sesshoumaru. You just can't stand him for some reason."
"Actually," Shippou began cautiously, "I believe Sesshoumaru enjoys his meetings with Inuyasha. After you left the mansion several weeks ago, that's all he talked about for days."
Kagome raised her eyebrows at the Inu no Taisho, who was glaring ominously at Shippou.
"You know not of what you speak, kitsune."
Kagome took a bite of her lobster. It was delicious.
"Actually, he did mention it to me about…three times." Rei put forth his two cents.
Sesshoumaru looked mildly irritated. "My own son?"
The young youkai shrugged and returned to his food. "I was only saying…Mother, this is delicious, by the way."
"Why thank you."
"You didn't make it, did you?"
Shippou threw his head back and laughed so hard that he began to choke on his food. Rei awkwardly began to pat his back to avoid his mother's pointed glare. "You—are--sooo—fucking—stupid!" he rasped.
"Shippou! The children!"
Kagome smiled to herself for the millionth time today. It felt right to be with Inuyasha's family. It was definitely interesting, anyway.
Inuyasha paced irritably around the campsite they had set up for the night. His growls became louder before cutting off completely. Deliberately avoiding the two sets of eyes that watched him, he continued to pace. He wasn't that far from the well now; in fact, he could probably reach it by morning if he ran hard enough. But Miroku still was in no condition to travel for large amounts of time and they found themselves taking breaks more often than not.
"Sorry, Inu…yasha," Miroku apologized through clenched teeth while Sango stopped cleaning his wounds to glare up at the hanyou.
Inuyasha froze and stared at the monk as though he hadn't understood what he'd said. Then he lowered his ears, looked back at the ground, and continued in his miserable pacing.
"Don't apologize, Miroku. You've got nothing to be sorry for." Sango stood, reaching for Hiraikotsu and stalking toward the unsuspecting hanyou. She swiftly whacked him over the had with her massive bone boomerang and glared at him while he stumbled and tried to recollect his thoughts.
He rubbed the back of his head furiously. "What the hell, Sango!"
She whacked him again.
"Keep that big-ass boomerang away from me!"
And again.
Her glare was still fixated on him. "Inuyasha! You're driving us crazy! If you want to get home, then go! I am more than capable of taking care of Miroku. Now sit down or leave!"
Inuyasha winced, flattening his ears to his scalp at her elevated tones. His eyes found their way to the monk, who was lying on the ground either trying to ignore the pain, them, or both.
Inuyasha's ears remained clinging to his head guiltily. "Keh," he grumbled half-heartedly, pushing of the ground and leaping into the branches of the tree above him. "I didn't say I was going to leave you two, did I?"
Carefully pushing aside his haori, he fingered the fang that hung around his neck under his prayer beads. He'd pulled it the first night they'd stopped after they'd left Ushitsuyoi's castle. The fang had grown back quickly enough. Clutching it in his clenched fist, he thought about Kagome, wandering what she was doing, if she was missing him.
He knew her so well, he could almost hear her voice. "Don't be stupid, baka. Of course I miss you."
He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the tree trunk. He missed her too. A soft noise, one that sounded suspiciously like a whine, forced its way out. He'd pulled his fang—made the necklace for a reason: she'd always carry a piece of him as long as she wore it.
Suddenly, the idea didn't seem as good as it had when he'd first decided to give it to her.
'So fucking stupid…' He grasped the fang tighter in his hand, readying himself to snatch it from his neck and throw it away. But something stopped him—a memory, a feeling, a person, brief though it was, he unwound his fingers and let the object fall against his neck.
"Merry Christmas, sweetie!"
Mai handed her daughter two red-wrapped gifts and accepted the package that Kagome held out to her.
"Merry Christmas." The miko ran her fingers over the wrapping paper, searching for the best place to begin the mauling of it.
Mai gasped as she held the scrapbook up, fingering through it. "Oh, Kagome…I love it!"
Relieved, she grinned. It sure had taken enough time to sort through the family pictures, choosing, cutting, and decorating, but she'd stuck to it and was a bit proud of the result. "I'm glad you do, Mama—here, Souta." She held another present out to her brother, momentarily overlooking her own.
In a flash, the paper had been ripped off, and her brother let loose a howl of excitement. "All right! Halo 2! Thanks, Sis." His Christmas was a success. He now owned a new gameboy, several gaming magazines, and the playstation game he'd been begging for.
"Gramps? Here's your present..."
The old man kissed his grandaughter's temple when he discovered a book of old japanese legends.
"Open your presents, Kagome. I'm sure you are going to love mine!"
Kagome was slightly frightened by the way-too-excited look on her grandpa's face, and decided she'd better open her mother's presents first.
A brand new camera and a leather bound journal. "Mama! Thank you!"
Mai smiled. "Be sure to take lots of pictures over there…I want to see them next time you come home."
She nodded. "I will." Slowly and hesitantly, she reached for the one from her grandfather. "I'm not going to have to feed this to Buyo, am I?" she asked dubiously.
"That was a perfectly good mummified Kappa paw!" he began indignantly sputtering. "Most people would count themselves lucky to even see one in their lifetime!"
She contained her small smile. Her grandfather always gave her the most eccentric gifts—gifts that usually were a piece of history. She made quick work of unfastening the bow and slipping the paper away from the large box.
The lid slid from her hands when she saw what lay carefully folded inside the package. "Oh, Gramps…"
"It took a long time to find one like that, young lady, especially in your size and that color—"
She flung her arms around his neck before he could finish. "I love it!" She pulled away to take the coarse material of the haori between her fingers and lift it out of the box. It was almost exactly like Inuyasha's fire rat fur. Other than the size and the slight shade difference in the coloring, it was identical.
"This…this must have cost a fortune. I don't know if I can accept it."
Her grandfather smiled. "Nonsense, you silly girl. You didn't come home for your last birthday, so I saved the money I was going to buy your present with and put it towards this. Besides…I know the shop owner," he cackled gleefully. He always did love discounts.
"Go try it on, dear."
At her mother's gentle urging, she slipped the haori over her pajama top and tightened it.
"It looks perfect, Kagome."
"Now you look like Inuyasha!" Souta exclaimed, "Except for the hair and the ears and claws and fangs and you being a girl.
Kagome sat at her windowsill, looking over the shrine grounds toward Goshinboku, which shone in the soft moonlight. It was hard to believe that Christmas was officially nearing its end.
With a soft sigh, she rested her chin on her crossed arms as she continued to stare longingly across the shrine grounds. It had been a great Christmas, but she'd thought Inuyasha would be back by now.
She'd hoped he leap down her staircase while they were opening presents, but he didn't. He also didn't burst through the door while they were eating the holiday dinner. He hadn't come for her when they were watching "A Christmas Story" marathon on TV, either.
With another sigh, she pushed herself to her feet and glided out of the room with Daphne following curiously at her heels. It was 11:54—if she hurried, she could spend the last few minutes of Christmas with the Goshinboku.
She slipped on her bedroom shoes and ran down the path to the sacred tree, refusing to slow down until she was standing at its roots.
Stepping up the roots, she tenderly touched Goshinboku's scar as she had so many times before. Kikyou's arrow had wounded the bark when it pierced through Inuyasha's heart, and not for the first time, Kagome found herself thanking whichever god was listening that she'd been able to wake him.
A sudden warmth spread over her, shielding her from the cold that the harsh wind and old snow offered. It was like the tree was reaching out to her, protecting her while she stood there, offering it company.
"Daphne? What is with you?" The dog had backed up against Kagome's leg, snarling and growling at the shadows.
"You replaced me with a dog?"
The miko froze, eyes widening, back rigid, as she let the wind carry the slightly annoyed voice to her, wrapping around her. She clenched her fist into tight balls as she prayed that it wasn't just her mind playing tricks on her.
Slowly, cautiously, she turned around to be pierced by those hauntingly beautiful amber eyes. His grin widened when he saw the look of complete bewilderment on her face.
"Inu…Inuyasha?"
God, I'm cruel...and I love every minute of it. At least you all got what you wanted. Inuyasha is safe and sound with Kagome. Want to see what becomes of them? Read the next chapter. It's already finished, but I'll post it next Monday. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Love to all.
Quotes of Randomness:
There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating: people who know absolutely everything, and people who know absolutely nothing.---Oscar Wilde
Angels and Demons can't cross over into our plane. So, instead we get what I call half-breeds. The influence peddlers. They can only whisper in our ears. A single word can give you courage, or turn your favorite pleasure into your worst nightmare. Those with the demon's touch and those part angel, living alongside us. They call it the balance. I call it hypocritical bullshit.---Keanu Reeves 'Constantine'