Warning: Uh, nothing? Hopefully?
Disclaimer: Last time I checked, pigs still couldn't fly. So no, I don't own Inu-Yasha.
Feedback: Since I sometimes accidently write OOC, yeah, tell me. I do have the ability to improve, but only if you correct me, ne?
I realized how confusing the last chapter may have been. I dunno if this chapter clarifies it any better. Oi, I hope you still enjoy, 'cause I'm really starting to love writing this fic. ^_^v
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It hurt so much.
The weight, the pain that she had suppressed for so long, lay heavily upon the bowels of her chest, making it hard to breath. It felt like she was bleeding inside, pooling around the remnants of her shattered hope, cutting deep into her flesh, her heart. It hurt so much, having everything ripped out of you because of one person, and all she wanted to do was curl into a ball and hide. Hide from piercing amber eyes that plagued her mind.
But she couldn't stop. She had to get away. Get away from him. The dark fire inside grew at the thought of him, he that caused her so much pain. He, who she sacrificed everything for.
Her legs, pushed beyond their limits, stumbled over an overlook of exposed roots and she hit the ground hard, her palms and knees scraping on the rocks. Staring at her bloody hands in wonder, she couldn't hold it back, the grief, the tension, the exhaustion; it had been all too much. A soft giggle escaped, and before she knew it, grew into laughter. Here she was, a walking doll without soul, and yet, she bled like a human, felt physical pain like a human, and could die like a human.
And she laughed.
She laughed so hard she cried, those cries turning into sobs, and she tucked herself into the nook created by the roots she had just tumbled over. Dirty streaks ran down her cheeks, staining her shirt, but she barely noticed.
It hurt so much.
She had been so stupid. So weak. None of the others could see it, she was sure of this. It was amazing how much you could hide behind a smile. It even fooled Miroku, who hid behind his charm and lechery.
No, no one had known. No one would guess the fear, the uncertainty every time she went back home, every time she was not with Inu-yasha. Did he run to her every time she was not there? Did he run to meet her at night when everyone slept? Did she hold him in ways she herself could only dream, whilst he complained how that "wench" sat him again and how he wished he were free of her?
Every time he sat in that tree of his, was he thinking of her? Every time he complained how slowly they found shards, was it because he wanted to be rid of her as soon as possible? Had everything between them been a lie?
She scoffed. What thing between them? Only the Shikon Jewel connected them, and she had that now. She had everything, the Jewel, her soul, her love...his heart... It had brought her so much pain that she could not bear it any longer, could not stand in the middle quietly and watch, as he would look past her to see her. Yet, stepping out of the picture had not lessened the pain, as she had hoped. No, it increased tenfold, as if every step away from him was tearing her apart. Every second, her mind was filled with gentle golden eyes, eyes she had thought were only meant for her.
How she hated him.
And yet...
[He glowed on nights like these, his silky tresses and ears shining silver, his thick lashes resting peacefully on his smooth cheek. Her heart clenched as he sighed softly. He was so different when he slept...so peaceful...]
She cried.
~ ~ ~
The first thing he noticed when he came to was it was getting light. Sitting up with much complaint from his muscles, he clutched his head as a wave of nausea hit him. It felt like he had just inhaled a cloud of Sango's exterminating smoke, he was so sick.
His eyes caught a flash of red on his left and jumped to his feet, hand already on the hilt of the Tetsusaiga even when his stance was unsteady and his sight swimming.
"Inu-yasha?"
He almost thought it was Kagome, her eyes were so soft, until he recognized the clothes.
"Kikyo..."
She stumbled slowly towards him, as if she were still weak and had to re-learn how to walk. Gone were the clouds of emptiness, the chips of malice, the pure hatred that once dwelled in her eyes. Gone was the coldness, the cursed storm of torment, the thirst for vengeance. If he hadn't known better, it would look as if she were...appeased. But that cannot be, for she was still here. She was still not at rest.
"Kikyo, I---"
He was cut short when she embraced him, so gently. It felt different this time. She was warm, with no hint of death or magic surrounding her. He could hear her heart beating by his, could smell her fragrance that he had forgotten in the last 50 years.
"...I don't understand."
Withdrawing her head from his chest, she looked up at him, and he was startled to see a smile, a genuine smile, on her face. For a moment, he was reminded of Kagome.
"I'm alive, Inu-yasha." Her eyes shone with happiness, an expression he had never really seen on her face. "I'm alive."
"What---"
A sharp rock connected with the back of his head; he snarled, ready to tear his attacker apart. Nothing prepared him for what he saw when he turned around.
Shippo's eyes were overflowing with tears, even as he glared hatefully at the hanyou, as if he were the vilest creature to crawl out of the seven Hells. Only once had Inu-yasha seen that expression on the kitsune's face, and that was when Manten had shown off his father's pelt around his waist. It was exactly the same; the shock, the hatred; it was all there mixed with a broken look of disbelief.
"Inu-yasha, you JERK!!!"
Before the dog-demon could get a word in, the auburn-haired kitsune had turned tail and ran...right into Miroku. He looked down at the little demon, wondering if he had found their missing teammates, before noticing the tears flowing down the child's face.
"Shippo, what's wrong?"
Looking at him with large watery eyes, sniveling, the kitsune tried to answer, only to sob harder and ran off into the woods, unable to stand being there any longer. Miroku turned instinctively to go after him, but was stopped by his companion.
"Sango?"
"I'll go after him," She looked to the side at the white-haired half-demon, or more at the woman behind him. There was definitely part of this she didn't understand, but she could feel was the source of her friend's disappearance.
Miroku followed her glance, and felt his blood run cold at the sight of the deceased priestess, not even noticing when the exterminator rode off on Kirara.
Oh Inu-yasha...what have you done this time?
~ TBC ~
Author's Note: I want to say right now, no pairings are of yet official. I promise to explain my reasoning for this next chapter, which is basically my motivation for writing this fic. But I don't want to say now, lest I give away something. ^^
To the Reviewers: Holy cows of writing, thank you so much! I can't believe how many responses I got! I really hope you're getting into this fic, 'cause I'm having so much fun writing it!
kitty demon: Like I said, I haven't decided on a pairing yet, and I'll explain next chapter why. But if it makes you feel better, I'll probably end up having the readers vote for it, and you can have your say then, 'kay? I hope this won't discourage you from reading on!
Inez: Yeah, I know it was fast, mostly 'cause I wanted to get to the better parts. Sorry for not explaining things well. And if this chapter didn't clear things up (which it probably didn't...oi..>Inuyasha-loves-Kagome: Where's the fun if I let Kagome die? ::evil grin, with the evil finger thing:: (No, I won't be too mean...I think...)
silvertenshi: Yeah, angst seems to be my genre...'cause a certain elf won't leave me alone!
Elf #2: You know you love me. ^^
-.-;
Laura-chan: ::flips through ideas for next couple chapters:: ...I'd say...expect more sadness...^_^;
DemonBlade: Indescribable? Thanks, no one's ever said that before! I hope I continue to meet your expectations!
Saya415: I know, cliffhangers are evil. But we writers need something to keep you coming back!
Tiger of the Wind: Made another fav. story list? Yay! That's...::pause...think hard, Inaho!::...two! Go me! Thankie so much for the support! And give suggestions! I love suggestions!
mika-chan: Oi, so sorry for being confusing. It's just I wanted to get to the good stuff! Please keep reading, and maybe things'll clear up? (Unless I screw that up too! >animegirl1234: Hope you liked this one! Not much action, I know, but hopefully things'll get moving pretty soon.
The Lost Dreamer AKA Neverhere: Mwa...ha...haaaa...
Elf #1: You still can't do the evil laugh, can you?
::sulk:: Meanie.
mystical-blue27: Ai ya...I'm just confusing everybody! I'm so sorry! I just...do that sometimes.
Elf #1: You just think too strangely...when you think at all.
Hey, this is all your fault! You make me wierd!
Elf #1: 'Cause otherwise you'd be boring.
...willnotcrushmuse...willnotcrushmuse...
On a sidenote...I have #12 manga! Slightly disappointing on some pages on the quality of the artwork, and some parts of the plot (I read through the book so fast!). But still quite enjoyable. Everything's getting so...!!! (Heh, can't ruin anything, unless I already did...d'oh!)