One Day Back
An Inu Yasha fan fiction by Iapetus
Disclaimer: I OWN INU YASHA! *Evil look from lawyers*
Ummmm....
Ok, so maybe I don't - but that was fun. :D (Yes I know I'm weird.)
Formatting notes for this chapter:
&&&&&&&- begining and end
======== - same scene, later in day, same perspective
_-_-_-_-_ - different scene, different perspective
---------- - same scene, different perspective
Anyways, thank you for all your reviews! Eight for just one chapter.... OMG that's a first for me. Well, it's obvious by your comments that you want more - and so I shall deliver. ;)
Before I begin, let me remind you all of something (because I got a complain about this). I made Tokyo and New York in the same time zone. I based Kagome's emotions off my own, because for six horrific hours I thought my aunt and uncle might have died in the Pentagon. THAT'S why they are in the same time zone. While I was in my school's third hour, I saw the second plane hit the other tower, and both buildings collapse.
Again, thanks for the reviews. Enjoy the second chapter.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
**I can't walk this road without you You cannot do it alone We were never meant to make it on our own - So when the road becomes to heavy And your feet too tired to walk I will carry you and we'll be carried on.
-"Carry On", Rebecca St. James**
.
Chapter 2: A New Resolve
.
"Daddy?"
"Kagome-chan?" Naru asked, concerned.
"Higuarsei-chan?" everyone else asked. The whole class may have thought it was a terrible event, but it was in a 'oh that's too bad' thought process. After all, this wasn't Japan that was attacked - even though the Japanese had had their share of hardship, heartache, and defeats.
"... I saw people jumping out of the windows," the lady said, sobbing. "At first I thought it was debris..."
Kagome tried to whipe her face, but it didn't work.
She could bairly register when the reporters announced that both buildings collapsed.
"Father..." The pain was nothing like she had ever felt before. Not even those several times times her friends had risked death in their fights for the Shikon Fragments could compare to this.
Satomi put her arms around the girl's shoulders. "Your father was supposed to have that broadcast today, wasn't he?" she asked carefully.
It was impossible to answer. Every time she opened her mouth, no sound came out. So, she simply nodded her head in an affirmative.
Whispers sprung up everywhere. It was obvious they were trying to hide it from Kagome - but things that shouldn't be heard have a way of making themselves known.
"Isn't her father Higuarsei-sensei?"
"I was going to watch that show..."
"He's the greatest chef in all of Japan!"
"You mean _was_."
"Hey, we don't know that yet..."
"I wonder when she'll find out..."
Kagome's pride took took over, and she forced her tears to stop. It didn't halt the fact that she couldn't talk, or that her face was beet red from the blood rushing to her face. _I will not make a public display of myself,_ she thought fiercely. _There is a time and place for everything. This is not the moment for it.
_Anyways, they're showing on TV that people got out. Maybe he did. I have to remain optimistic if I'm going to get through the day._
And so, that was how she plowed on. Whenever tears threatened to overtake her, she thought on how people got out. Yet, at the same time she felt incredibly selfish. _Every person in the WTC has family and friends. They ALL want their person to be one of the few that've gotten out._ Throughout the rest of the day, no one seemed to be able to look her in the eye. No one knew just what to say to her.
=============
The bell rang, and Kagome tore out of the building as fast as she could. She didn't want sympathy from someone who didn't know how she was feeling. Not to mention, the one person who could possibly tell her anything right now was her mother. The authorities would contact the spouses of those involved when they had the news first and foremost.
The bus seemed too slow, as did the rest of the traffic. Everyone was talking about what had happened. Kaogme tuned them out, for she could only think about one thing:
_Dad..._
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
He was going to know where she was 24/7, even if he couldn't always be there. He hated having to hide, but Kagome had pointed out that demons weren't commen in 21st century Japan (and it wouldn't be good if you drew extra attention to yourself).
Waiting high in the tree, Inu Yasha watched at all sorts of people went along and did their daily things.
_Feh,_ he thought to himself, _Kagome's people are weird._
Yet, there seemed to be something unusual going on about an hour into Kagome's "school." His sensitive dog-ears heard talk of an attack against the WTC by airplanes.
_WTC? Airplanes?_ he didn't know what the words were, but if there was an attack - it could only mean three things. _It's either a revot, a battle, or a demon._ Either way, he couldn't tell where such a huge event was.
_You'd think something this big could be seen from the trees....
_Stupid humans. I'll ask Kagome what they were talking about when it's time to take her back._
With that, he resigned himself to continue waiting for her throughout the day.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
She got off at the stop, and began running towards the house. Unfortunatly, when your mind is sidetracked, one often will loose their footing. Falling forward, Kagome skidded her knees on the loose rocks.
With the fall, she couln't run home like she was before. Both knees were skinned, and laced with blood.
"Kagome-onee-chan, are you ok?" It was Sota.
"How are you taking it," Kagome asked.
"Taking what?" he asked curiously
"'Taking what?!'" she replied angirly, "What do you mean 'Taking What?'"
"Onee-chan, I don't know what you're talking about." The boy was confused at his sister's loss of temper.
"It was on the TVs all day! How could you _not_ know what's going on?"
"I only saw a video in history today," he recalled, "but that was it."
Realization hit her. _Maybe they didn't tell any of the elementary school students..._
"Aren't you concerned about Dad?" Kagome asked finally.
"Why?" Sota had been confused before, but now he was suspicious.
_They DIDN'T say anything._ The fact shook her out of her disbelief. _Why wouldn't they tell Sota? Dad is there, after all..._
"Two planes flew into the Twin Towers, and they collapsed." The words sounded dull, and without emotion. It is amazing how sometimes when we are the most emotional, there is none to be found in our vocal chords.
"Nani?" the young boy asked in a small voice.
Somehow, in the heat of the conversation, both brother and sister found themselves in front of the temple grounds before they thought they would.
"Sometimes, time has a habit of speeding up when you think it's slowing down," Sota commented.
His older sister was surprised by the statement, but agreed with it. In many ways, she hoped she'd never go home. But then, how would she ever know what would happened?
The door to the house, which usually looked friendly and welcoming, had a sense of forboding that shot shivers down both Kagome and Sota's spines.
For a full minute, neither one of them moved. Her brother had gone unusually quiet after finding out the news, and she wasn't going to talk to him more than he wanted to. In fact, she didn't want to talk to anyone really at the moment anyways...
_That's a lie, and you know it,_ she felt someone tell her in her head. _You are afraid of walking in this door, but don't hesistate in going against Naraku. Be a woman and face it!_
Her consiousness had a point, Kagome acknowledged, and took the step forward that her brother could not. He was soon following her.
The house was deathly silent as the two took off their shoes and but their backpacks away. Sota had gone into the living room, and Kagome went to clean off her knees.
Everything seemed fragile - that at a touch it would shatter.
Kagome felt as though her life was like that now.
If having to travel back in time had one good advantage, it was that she had been forced to learn First Aid quickly. It only took five minutes to wash and disinfect both wounds, then bandage them. Afterwards, she felt signifigantly better, and could walk almost normally.
"Mom?" she asked tentatively, into the living room. Her mother was not the only one in there, her grandfather was too. The TV was on, and reporters were talking about the assumbed death and missing toll.
Her grandfather saw them walk in, and switched it off. In the Sengoku Jidai, where war tore families apart, she had seen grief on many people's faces. His face wore the deepest sorrow Kagome had ever seen.
Her mother cluched the cordless phone in both of her hands, looking like she was only half there. Countless tears were dried on her face, and her cheeks were still very red.
Sota ran and jumped into his mother's lap, shaking in fear. Kagome glanced to the TV, and then to her grandfather. It was obvious that her mother couldn't answer any questions, for it looked as though she'd never be able to speak again.
No one had to ask the question.
"Your father was able to get a call out on his cell phone to your mother when it happened," her grandfather began. "He isn't even sure how it worked. Even with his phone plan, it is hard to get a call from across the world.
"Anyways, he said he had to call us, because he didn't think he'd be able to get out. The exit was blocked by debris, and the firemen were only begining to move it when..." he shut his eyes tight against the memory.
"What happened, Grandpa?" _No... please don't say it is..._
"We heard him scream, and then we lost signal.
"That was when the first building collapsed."
_NO.... That was the building Daddy was in..._
"I felt at that moment that something inside was severed. I know people make a mockery of my spiritual skills, but this was unlike anything else I had experienced.
"He's gone."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
He could hear her run and slam the door. Jumping up to her window sill, Inu Yasha saw Kagome's face. Though he had not seen her grandfather, his face looked just like his did. She didn't even notice when he climbed into the window.
"Kagome-"
"NO, I'M NOT GOING HOME NOW, INU YASHA!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, and then turned away.
"I just-" he tried to speak again.
"SIT!"
*Thud* _Jeez, I didn't even DO anything...._ "But Ka-"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she yelled again.
"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME ALREADY!?" he bellowed.
--------
She turned back, and realized there was no anger- none at her anyway- in his face. _He's worried about me..._ she realized.
"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?"
It was if the floodgates in her head broke. She ran towards the boy, and clutched his chest tightly. They sunk to the ground, and she began to cry with all her might.
Kagome had never cried like this before. It was as if all the pain in her body was trying to get out of through her face - and wasn't succeeding. Inu Yasha had been surprised when she suddenly flung herself on him, but recovered quickly. Putting his hands on her back, he held her close.
"What happened?" he asked quietly.
She couldn't answer, for her sobs kept coming through.
"Fa- Father..."
-----------
_No..._ Inu Yasha shut his eyes tight. _Not to Kagome. She doesn't deserve that. Please let it not be true!_
"Kagome, I still don't understand what happened. I heard that there was an attack, but I couldn't figure out where it was."
She looked up into his face, and somehow found a speaking voice. "It was on the other side of the world, in another country. Two buildings were attacked." She started crying in his chest again.
Inu Yasha swore silently to himself, cursing his good intuition. _She doens't deserve this - I wish I wasn't right..._
He could feel someting painfull working in his chest.
The hard life of a hanyou had built a callouse around his heart. _I'm alone in this world, and don't have time for stupid human emotions._
He had loved Kikyo, but she could never understand his loneliness. Well, ok, she could in a sense, but not in the way he felt it. He was orphaned completely and utterly. He never knew his father, the demon had died before he was born. His mother was gone, for the human female lovers of a male demon never did live long. _I've lost my family to death and hate._ Even his own BROTHER wanted to kill him.
_But, the first person to ever care for me like that besides mother was...._
---------
Kagome felt a tear on her forehead. Looking up, she saw the silent tears of a man in pain streaming down Inu Yasha's cheek.
"I know how you feel." His words were simple, yet gave her great comfort.
"No one has ever cared for me as much as you have. Mother-" he choked on the word.
"I wish I could take your despair and bear it myself!" he said fiercely. "I can't stand to see you in pain."
_Inu Yasha..._
He held her tighter. "We aren't the only ones who know what it's like..."
_That's right,_ Kagome realized. _Miroku... Sango... Shippo... they all..._
She cried anew, this time for her friends as well as for herself. _I can cry my eyes out now. Inu Yasha's here to protect me, and I have friends who will understand._
That didn't take away the pain, but it did help to have a shoulder to cry on.
"I'll stay here and protect you. We won't go back tonight."
_He's changed so much..._
"Arigatoo, Inu Yasha."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Kagome was dressed as a traditional Shinto miko, and sweeping the steps of the Bone Eaters Well. Hearing footsteps, she looked up.
"Daddy!" He was dressed as she remembered him, with his trusty apron around his waist. He held his arms out, and gave her a gigantic hug.
"I've missed you so much!" she exclaimed.
"Me too," he laughed. "I hate being away from you all."
They chatted for awhile, the broom left forgotton. Finally, Kagome addressed something that had been bugging her.
"Dad, I had a terrible dream," she started, "I thought you had died.
"And now, I feel a weird aura around you. Daddy, what's going on?"
Her father's laughter stopped very quickly.
"Kagome, that wasn't a dream."
The shock of the statement seemed to freeze her whole body.
"I wanted to see you one last time. I was only able to talk to your grandfather and mother on the phone.
"There's no way I can leave my beautiful, darling daughter without saying a proper goodbye. The last time we talked, you and I said goodbye in expectation of seeing each other in a week."
"Daddy?" The memories of the day filled her mind in a rush. She felt like she was going to start crying all over again.
"Don't cry for me, Kagome," he said, and touched her cheek. "Tears don't suit you. Kami-sama granted my wish to see you once more.
"I'm proud of you, babe." This time, _he_ was the one crying. "You are fighting for a just cause, while not even in your own time. You face danger constantly, yet don't flinch back.
"I am glad to say that you are my daughter."
Kagome was crying again, but for a different reason.
"I had to say that to you before I left. I know you'll never be able to tell me everything now, so I'll wait for you to tell me later.
She continued to sob.
"Although, from what I heard, the enemy your facing sounds ruthless." She looked up to make sure she didn't miss a word. He looked off into the distance and continued. "It's so sad that that kind of hatred still exists today. You'd think we'd learn our lesson.
"I know how strong you are. Beat Naraku and help avenge your friends. Get rid of that evil, and you will avenge me as well. I know you can do nothing now in the world of politics, but you can change the world through the past.
"I know you have the power to prevent a catastrophe. Even if you wernt Kikyo's reincarnation, you are still a miko, and you are still you. I know you'd never let that rest." He backed away, slowly letting go and rising into the sky.
"Dad!" Kagome cried. "I can't imangine what life would be like without you! Please don't go!"
"I'll never leave you Kagome, although my time in this world had ended before yours. I want to return to my mother, who I've missed for years. So, I will wait for you as she has waited for me.
"Don't despair, for I am with you always. Sayoonara."
"Sayoonara."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Kagome woke up. It was the middle of the night, and nothing was making a noise. She saw Inu Yasha sleeping in a corner, near her window. He was hugging the Testsuiaga like he always did when resting.
She had insisted that he go back and tell the others that she would be awhile, but he wouldn't hear of it. He was going to do his best to protect her.
_Inu Yasha was wronged by Naraku probably the worst of all,_ she thought. Everyone else had a cause before now, but now she had one as well.
_Dad, I'll fight to avenge you by beating Naraku,_ she thought determindly. _I don't want any more people to feel like I did.
_I love you Dad. Arigatoo._
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Ok, I'm sorry that it took me forever to update this, but my computer was giving me problems. I had just finished typing the whole thing, when my computer froze and deleted all of my work. ^_^; I had to retype the whole thing, which was an incredible emotional drain on me.
This is the last chapter that will be posted. It was meant to be short, otherwise I think I'd be disrespecting those who lost their lives by drawing it out.
As for the story, I incorporated a desperate wish of my own into Kagome's reality. Her 'goodbye' to her father had been in a 'see you later' mindset. I lost someone very dear to me, and the last time I ever said goodbye to her was in that sort-of way (if you want to read the story about it, go to my profile and read the poem "Looking back to Fifth Grade.").
Review, because I want to know how I finished it. I don't usually write so much saddness into a story; I may be into angst, but there is humor there too. Again, thank you for reading my piece.
Ja ne,
-Iapetus
An Inu Yasha fan fiction by Iapetus
Disclaimer: I OWN INU YASHA! *Evil look from lawyers*
Ummmm....
Ok, so maybe I don't - but that was fun. :D (Yes I know I'm weird.)
Formatting notes for this chapter:
&&&&&&&- begining and end
======== - same scene, later in day, same perspective
_-_-_-_-_ - different scene, different perspective
---------- - same scene, different perspective
Anyways, thank you for all your reviews! Eight for just one chapter.... OMG that's a first for me. Well, it's obvious by your comments that you want more - and so I shall deliver. ;)
Before I begin, let me remind you all of something (because I got a complain about this). I made Tokyo and New York in the same time zone. I based Kagome's emotions off my own, because for six horrific hours I thought my aunt and uncle might have died in the Pentagon. THAT'S why they are in the same time zone. While I was in my school's third hour, I saw the second plane hit the other tower, and both buildings collapse.
Again, thanks for the reviews. Enjoy the second chapter.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
**I can't walk this road without you You cannot do it alone We were never meant to make it on our own - So when the road becomes to heavy And your feet too tired to walk I will carry you and we'll be carried on.
-"Carry On", Rebecca St. James**
.
Chapter 2: A New Resolve
.
"Daddy?"
"Kagome-chan?" Naru asked, concerned.
"Higuarsei-chan?" everyone else asked. The whole class may have thought it was a terrible event, but it was in a 'oh that's too bad' thought process. After all, this wasn't Japan that was attacked - even though the Japanese had had their share of hardship, heartache, and defeats.
"... I saw people jumping out of the windows," the lady said, sobbing. "At first I thought it was debris..."
Kagome tried to whipe her face, but it didn't work.
She could bairly register when the reporters announced that both buildings collapsed.
"Father..." The pain was nothing like she had ever felt before. Not even those several times times her friends had risked death in their fights for the Shikon Fragments could compare to this.
Satomi put her arms around the girl's shoulders. "Your father was supposed to have that broadcast today, wasn't he?" she asked carefully.
It was impossible to answer. Every time she opened her mouth, no sound came out. So, she simply nodded her head in an affirmative.
Whispers sprung up everywhere. It was obvious they were trying to hide it from Kagome - but things that shouldn't be heard have a way of making themselves known.
"Isn't her father Higuarsei-sensei?"
"I was going to watch that show..."
"He's the greatest chef in all of Japan!"
"You mean _was_."
"Hey, we don't know that yet..."
"I wonder when she'll find out..."
Kagome's pride took took over, and she forced her tears to stop. It didn't halt the fact that she couldn't talk, or that her face was beet red from the blood rushing to her face. _I will not make a public display of myself,_ she thought fiercely. _There is a time and place for everything. This is not the moment for it.
_Anyways, they're showing on TV that people got out. Maybe he did. I have to remain optimistic if I'm going to get through the day._
And so, that was how she plowed on. Whenever tears threatened to overtake her, she thought on how people got out. Yet, at the same time she felt incredibly selfish. _Every person in the WTC has family and friends. They ALL want their person to be one of the few that've gotten out._ Throughout the rest of the day, no one seemed to be able to look her in the eye. No one knew just what to say to her.
=============
The bell rang, and Kagome tore out of the building as fast as she could. She didn't want sympathy from someone who didn't know how she was feeling. Not to mention, the one person who could possibly tell her anything right now was her mother. The authorities would contact the spouses of those involved when they had the news first and foremost.
The bus seemed too slow, as did the rest of the traffic. Everyone was talking about what had happened. Kaogme tuned them out, for she could only think about one thing:
_Dad..._
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
He was going to know where she was 24/7, even if he couldn't always be there. He hated having to hide, but Kagome had pointed out that demons weren't commen in 21st century Japan (and it wouldn't be good if you drew extra attention to yourself).
Waiting high in the tree, Inu Yasha watched at all sorts of people went along and did their daily things.
_Feh,_ he thought to himself, _Kagome's people are weird._
Yet, there seemed to be something unusual going on about an hour into Kagome's "school." His sensitive dog-ears heard talk of an attack against the WTC by airplanes.
_WTC? Airplanes?_ he didn't know what the words were, but if there was an attack - it could only mean three things. _It's either a revot, a battle, or a demon._ Either way, he couldn't tell where such a huge event was.
_You'd think something this big could be seen from the trees....
_Stupid humans. I'll ask Kagome what they were talking about when it's time to take her back._
With that, he resigned himself to continue waiting for her throughout the day.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
She got off at the stop, and began running towards the house. Unfortunatly, when your mind is sidetracked, one often will loose their footing. Falling forward, Kagome skidded her knees on the loose rocks.
With the fall, she couln't run home like she was before. Both knees were skinned, and laced with blood.
"Kagome-onee-chan, are you ok?" It was Sota.
"How are you taking it," Kagome asked.
"Taking what?" he asked curiously
"'Taking what?!'" she replied angirly, "What do you mean 'Taking What?'"
"Onee-chan, I don't know what you're talking about." The boy was confused at his sister's loss of temper.
"It was on the TVs all day! How could you _not_ know what's going on?"
"I only saw a video in history today," he recalled, "but that was it."
Realization hit her. _Maybe they didn't tell any of the elementary school students..._
"Aren't you concerned about Dad?" Kagome asked finally.
"Why?" Sota had been confused before, but now he was suspicious.
_They DIDN'T say anything._ The fact shook her out of her disbelief. _Why wouldn't they tell Sota? Dad is there, after all..._
"Two planes flew into the Twin Towers, and they collapsed." The words sounded dull, and without emotion. It is amazing how sometimes when we are the most emotional, there is none to be found in our vocal chords.
"Nani?" the young boy asked in a small voice.
Somehow, in the heat of the conversation, both brother and sister found themselves in front of the temple grounds before they thought they would.
"Sometimes, time has a habit of speeding up when you think it's slowing down," Sota commented.
His older sister was surprised by the statement, but agreed with it. In many ways, she hoped she'd never go home. But then, how would she ever know what would happened?
The door to the house, which usually looked friendly and welcoming, had a sense of forboding that shot shivers down both Kagome and Sota's spines.
For a full minute, neither one of them moved. Her brother had gone unusually quiet after finding out the news, and she wasn't going to talk to him more than he wanted to. In fact, she didn't want to talk to anyone really at the moment anyways...
_That's a lie, and you know it,_ she felt someone tell her in her head. _You are afraid of walking in this door, but don't hesistate in going against Naraku. Be a woman and face it!_
Her consiousness had a point, Kagome acknowledged, and took the step forward that her brother could not. He was soon following her.
The house was deathly silent as the two took off their shoes and but their backpacks away. Sota had gone into the living room, and Kagome went to clean off her knees.
Everything seemed fragile - that at a touch it would shatter.
Kagome felt as though her life was like that now.
If having to travel back in time had one good advantage, it was that she had been forced to learn First Aid quickly. It only took five minutes to wash and disinfect both wounds, then bandage them. Afterwards, she felt signifigantly better, and could walk almost normally.
"Mom?" she asked tentatively, into the living room. Her mother was not the only one in there, her grandfather was too. The TV was on, and reporters were talking about the assumbed death and missing toll.
Her grandfather saw them walk in, and switched it off. In the Sengoku Jidai, where war tore families apart, she had seen grief on many people's faces. His face wore the deepest sorrow Kagome had ever seen.
Her mother cluched the cordless phone in both of her hands, looking like she was only half there. Countless tears were dried on her face, and her cheeks were still very red.
Sota ran and jumped into his mother's lap, shaking in fear. Kagome glanced to the TV, and then to her grandfather. It was obvious that her mother couldn't answer any questions, for it looked as though she'd never be able to speak again.
No one had to ask the question.
"Your father was able to get a call out on his cell phone to your mother when it happened," her grandfather began. "He isn't even sure how it worked. Even with his phone plan, it is hard to get a call from across the world.
"Anyways, he said he had to call us, because he didn't think he'd be able to get out. The exit was blocked by debris, and the firemen were only begining to move it when..." he shut his eyes tight against the memory.
"What happened, Grandpa?" _No... please don't say it is..._
"We heard him scream, and then we lost signal.
"That was when the first building collapsed."
_NO.... That was the building Daddy was in..._
"I felt at that moment that something inside was severed. I know people make a mockery of my spiritual skills, but this was unlike anything else I had experienced.
"He's gone."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
He could hear her run and slam the door. Jumping up to her window sill, Inu Yasha saw Kagome's face. Though he had not seen her grandfather, his face looked just like his did. She didn't even notice when he climbed into the window.
"Kagome-"
"NO, I'M NOT GOING HOME NOW, INU YASHA!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, and then turned away.
"I just-" he tried to speak again.
"SIT!"
*Thud* _Jeez, I didn't even DO anything...._ "But Ka-"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she yelled again.
"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME ALREADY!?" he bellowed.
--------
She turned back, and realized there was no anger- none at her anyway- in his face. _He's worried about me..._ she realized.
"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?"
It was if the floodgates in her head broke. She ran towards the boy, and clutched his chest tightly. They sunk to the ground, and she began to cry with all her might.
Kagome had never cried like this before. It was as if all the pain in her body was trying to get out of through her face - and wasn't succeeding. Inu Yasha had been surprised when she suddenly flung herself on him, but recovered quickly. Putting his hands on her back, he held her close.
"What happened?" he asked quietly.
She couldn't answer, for her sobs kept coming through.
"Fa- Father..."
-----------
_No..._ Inu Yasha shut his eyes tight. _Not to Kagome. She doesn't deserve that. Please let it not be true!_
"Kagome, I still don't understand what happened. I heard that there was an attack, but I couldn't figure out where it was."
She looked up into his face, and somehow found a speaking voice. "It was on the other side of the world, in another country. Two buildings were attacked." She started crying in his chest again.
Inu Yasha swore silently to himself, cursing his good intuition. _She doens't deserve this - I wish I wasn't right..._
He could feel someting painfull working in his chest.
The hard life of a hanyou had built a callouse around his heart. _I'm alone in this world, and don't have time for stupid human emotions._
He had loved Kikyo, but she could never understand his loneliness. Well, ok, she could in a sense, but not in the way he felt it. He was orphaned completely and utterly. He never knew his father, the demon had died before he was born. His mother was gone, for the human female lovers of a male demon never did live long. _I've lost my family to death and hate._ Even his own BROTHER wanted to kill him.
_But, the first person to ever care for me like that besides mother was...._
---------
Kagome felt a tear on her forehead. Looking up, she saw the silent tears of a man in pain streaming down Inu Yasha's cheek.
"I know how you feel." His words were simple, yet gave her great comfort.
"No one has ever cared for me as much as you have. Mother-" he choked on the word.
"I wish I could take your despair and bear it myself!" he said fiercely. "I can't stand to see you in pain."
_Inu Yasha..._
He held her tighter. "We aren't the only ones who know what it's like..."
_That's right,_ Kagome realized. _Miroku... Sango... Shippo... they all..._
She cried anew, this time for her friends as well as for herself. _I can cry my eyes out now. Inu Yasha's here to protect me, and I have friends who will understand._
That didn't take away the pain, but it did help to have a shoulder to cry on.
"I'll stay here and protect you. We won't go back tonight."
_He's changed so much..._
"Arigatoo, Inu Yasha."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Kagome was dressed as a traditional Shinto miko, and sweeping the steps of the Bone Eaters Well. Hearing footsteps, she looked up.
"Daddy!" He was dressed as she remembered him, with his trusty apron around his waist. He held his arms out, and gave her a gigantic hug.
"I've missed you so much!" she exclaimed.
"Me too," he laughed. "I hate being away from you all."
They chatted for awhile, the broom left forgotton. Finally, Kagome addressed something that had been bugging her.
"Dad, I had a terrible dream," she started, "I thought you had died.
"And now, I feel a weird aura around you. Daddy, what's going on?"
Her father's laughter stopped very quickly.
"Kagome, that wasn't a dream."
The shock of the statement seemed to freeze her whole body.
"I wanted to see you one last time. I was only able to talk to your grandfather and mother on the phone.
"There's no way I can leave my beautiful, darling daughter without saying a proper goodbye. The last time we talked, you and I said goodbye in expectation of seeing each other in a week."
"Daddy?" The memories of the day filled her mind in a rush. She felt like she was going to start crying all over again.
"Don't cry for me, Kagome," he said, and touched her cheek. "Tears don't suit you. Kami-sama granted my wish to see you once more.
"I'm proud of you, babe." This time, _he_ was the one crying. "You are fighting for a just cause, while not even in your own time. You face danger constantly, yet don't flinch back.
"I am glad to say that you are my daughter."
Kagome was crying again, but for a different reason.
"I had to say that to you before I left. I know you'll never be able to tell me everything now, so I'll wait for you to tell me later.
She continued to sob.
"Although, from what I heard, the enemy your facing sounds ruthless." She looked up to make sure she didn't miss a word. He looked off into the distance and continued. "It's so sad that that kind of hatred still exists today. You'd think we'd learn our lesson.
"I know how strong you are. Beat Naraku and help avenge your friends. Get rid of that evil, and you will avenge me as well. I know you can do nothing now in the world of politics, but you can change the world through the past.
"I know you have the power to prevent a catastrophe. Even if you wernt Kikyo's reincarnation, you are still a miko, and you are still you. I know you'd never let that rest." He backed away, slowly letting go and rising into the sky.
"Dad!" Kagome cried. "I can't imangine what life would be like without you! Please don't go!"
"I'll never leave you Kagome, although my time in this world had ended before yours. I want to return to my mother, who I've missed for years. So, I will wait for you as she has waited for me.
"Don't despair, for I am with you always. Sayoonara."
"Sayoonara."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Kagome woke up. It was the middle of the night, and nothing was making a noise. She saw Inu Yasha sleeping in a corner, near her window. He was hugging the Testsuiaga like he always did when resting.
She had insisted that he go back and tell the others that she would be awhile, but he wouldn't hear of it. He was going to do his best to protect her.
_Inu Yasha was wronged by Naraku probably the worst of all,_ she thought. Everyone else had a cause before now, but now she had one as well.
_Dad, I'll fight to avenge you by beating Naraku,_ she thought determindly. _I don't want any more people to feel like I did.
_I love you Dad. Arigatoo._
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Ok, I'm sorry that it took me forever to update this, but my computer was giving me problems. I had just finished typing the whole thing, when my computer froze and deleted all of my work. ^_^; I had to retype the whole thing, which was an incredible emotional drain on me.
This is the last chapter that will be posted. It was meant to be short, otherwise I think I'd be disrespecting those who lost their lives by drawing it out.
As for the story, I incorporated a desperate wish of my own into Kagome's reality. Her 'goodbye' to her father had been in a 'see you later' mindset. I lost someone very dear to me, and the last time I ever said goodbye to her was in that sort-of way (if you want to read the story about it, go to my profile and read the poem "Looking back to Fifth Grade.").
Review, because I want to know how I finished it. I don't usually write so much saddness into a story; I may be into angst, but there is humor there too. Again, thank you for reading my piece.
Ja ne,
-Iapetus