Lauren: Hey everybody! Sorry that this update was a bit late, I was gone all weekend at a church retreat and when I got back Sunday I was celebrating my mother's birthday. Thanks for waiting patiently. See, I even skipped watching some of .hack//SIGN just to finish this off. I had two pages of it written out for a while but I had to do some thinking before I finished it off. I'll always try my best to write when I can and I can promise you all that I'll never abandon this story but sometimes you need to be patient with me because I can't write 24/7. I do have a lot of work to do with school and I had finals last week. I've got after school things, church things and sometimes I just can't write. I'd rather write a really good, long chapter than a short, crappy one just to get it out sooner. Thanks for understanding and on with the review replies, which, I'm sorry, might be a bit short.
Mega_Gotenks- Ah, thank you so much! You do your best too! Congratulations on being my 800th reviewer!
Cataluna- I'm sorry! That sense she has might not exist or else something could push her to lose it. Hmm…who knows! I do! Muahaha!
Clump- I love DDR! I got it for Christmas and have been playing it nonstop (another reason my updating has been slow…not to mention new anime to watch!) Want to know something pathetic? I was playing it at home and I slipped off the pad and twisted my ankle! It hurt a lot but did I stop playing? Heck no! I didn't stop and it hurt forever until I finally took a break!
Inuyasha-loves-Kagome- I will try my best to save him! How was your trip? I hope it was good!
Princess Sapphire- Yeah, he named his car after his past sword. Kind of sad, eh? ^_^;
Snowgirl- Oh wow, I am so honored to have you review my humble fic! Thank you so much!! I love your stories!
Nikkiclub- Wow, I forgot that Kirara had Kirara. Well…uh…somewhere along the line it ended up back at Miroku's! Yeah…that's it!
Kagomechan89- Please don't arrest me! How can I write more then? XD
WarriorGL- I'm looking forward to the picture a lot! Thanks a ton!
Goddess-Yueha Vixenelf- You so do not annoy me! You rock! Hmm…I'd like to answer your questions but I can't due to the fact of surprise!
Ryu- It does sort of look like Kagura. Freaky! You're welcome about the site…I adore it, it rocks and it's cheap. I like the Japanese voices better too. I'd love to write a book…I want to have something published one day.
Teo- No! I read all of my dear reviews! I don't know if you didn't notice but I replaced the chapter and added the credit in my first paragraph.
Chavi West-Wind- Don't worry about it! It's okay! Yeah, the last line was supposed to make everybody laugh! I'm glad it worked! I want Daemon to die too…slowly and painfully. And Icky Bumpy Thingy? What's that? The shadow thing that attacked Sango, Miroku, Kagome and Inuyasha? If that's what you mean, it died.
Stephanie-chan- Thanks so much for the award! I'd love to get a IM from you sometime. I love Trigun and .hack//SIGN too although it's a bit confusing. Vash and Wolfwood rock!
Queen of Shadows- I get all of my anime lyrics here: http://www.animelyrics.com/
Silver Magiccraft- I wish my best of luck to you in dealing in whatever ghosts of the past that you need to deal with. *hugs*
…()- Well…yes…they kind of did after he proposed to her. I didn't really want to go into details cause I don't write things like that but I wanted to show that their relationship has deepened profoundly.
Riley- Don't worry, I'd never abandon this story. Sometimes I just need some time between chapters.
~*~ Where Did You Go? ~*~
~By: Lauren~
-Chapter 24-
"Forever Longing the Golden Sunsets"
"Kagome, are you okay?" Inuyasha gave her a look of clear concern and also a look telling her he'd take no crap if she refused to voice the truth to him.
"Yes- I'm fine." Kagome spoke slowly as if to spell out the words to him. Little did she know he could keenly hear her tiny gasps of breath. "I'm…going to go get a quick bath…" She trailed off, looking around for some kind of clue as to where the bathroom was.
"It's down the hallway to the left." Miroku pointed, giving Kagome a worried look also. "The towels are right there." He pointed to a cabinet where Kagome pulled out a pink bath towel.
She ignored their gazes as she stood up, wandering quickly towards the bathroom. She wanted nothing more at that moment than to get away from them and out of the room. She wanted to get away from the tension she was building and the guilt she felt.
Reaching her desired destination, Kagome shut the white bathroom door behind her and locked it. She reached into the bathtub, turning on the spout as water began to spew forth. She twisted the knob so that the water began to heat up while she looked at herself in the mirror.
Kagome stared into her eyes, noting how the past sparkle of happiness that had always existed was now partially faded. A pang of sorrow filled her chest. She had been a fool. Pulling off her clothing, Kagome stepped into the now-filled bathtub. She let the steam rise up, heating her skin to a soft pinkish red color. The warmth of the water let her sore muscles relax as she slid down, finding a comfortable position. Kagome leaned her head back, letting her black tresses fall into the water and float around her. She closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of the water and allowing the steam to enter her lungs.
It was wrong- all of it was wrong. Everything was so unfair. But did anyone care?
No.
Life was just like that. It was totally and incompletely fair. A person could be…wonderful and self-sacrificing all of their life and then…boom…they get some horrible disease and die. Meanwhile, criminals seem to live year after year.
What was Kagome supposed to do? Shippo was not supposed to be involved in this. He was only a child! He didn't deserve to be involved and yet…now his life was being threatened…and Kagome had to make an extremely tough decision.
Turn over Inuyasha and half of the Shikon no Tama…for Shippo's life.
How was she supposed to know what to do? How could she trade one life for another? This was not a decision for her to make- she was not the one to chose who was supposed to live and who was supposed die.
Kagome cursed at herself. Why didn't she have more faith in Inuyasha? Why couldn't she believe that he could beat Daemon? Yes…she knew he probably could but then Daemon had gotten half of the Shikon no Tama. He was a lot stronger now…She let out a sigh. Maybe it wasn't that Kagome didn't have faith in him. Maybe she was only afraid of losing him.
Losing him a second time.
Once had been enough for her. She had had her heart broken into pieces and only now had she recovered. If she…if she lost him a second time…Kagome knew she'd have no heart to even attempt to pick up the pieces. Scrubbing her hair thoroughly with shampoo, Kagome proceeded to wash herself off before she realized the water was beginning to grow cold.
Life had never been so complicated for her until now.
That was when a thought struck her. Maybe Kagome could bring half of the Shikon no Tama along with Inuyasha like Daemon had requested. Now…she couldn't speak of what had happened to Inuyasha or else Shippo would be…gone. But maybe before they reached Daemon, they could find Inuyasha's car and he could get his sword. Then, with Tetsusaiga, they'd have a better chance of winning. Inuyasha wouldn't even have to kill Daemon…if he could only get back his half of the Shikon no Tama…then they could win. Kagome could hold onto her ring and then try to retrieve the half Daemon had…if she got both pieces back together…Kagome could try to purify it and make a wish. She could wish the world back into an equal balance- back to a balance between shadow and light and this whole mess would be done with.
It was risky and dangerous.
It was crazy and insane.
It would leave people pissed and angry with her…namely Inuyasha.
But it might just work…after all, wasn't Kagome famous for pulling off 'insane' tricks?
It had to work…right?
Kagome smiled ruefully to herself and answered her own questions aloud. "I guess there are some puzzles and questions you can't ever possibly solve- no matter how many times you try. Like the 'no solution' problems in math." She chuckled softly, "I hate those kinds of problems…!" She closed her eyes, inhaling the steamy air once again.
She sighed at her own thoughts, "Will Inuyasha hate me if I take him to Daemon? Will he not love me afterwards? Will I lose him…?" She frowned slightly. "Inuyasha has to be strong enough!" Kagome tried to convince herself. "He has too!! I know it's a trap…I know Daemon just wants to catch Inuyasha off guard…but…I have to save Shippo…I have to!! If I don't…I'll never be able to live with myself…never…I at least owe Shippo this…" Kagome stood up, grabbing a towel to dry off her sore body with.
Yet another facet was added to the never-ending puzzle. Why did this have to be happening? Would Inuyasha leave her?
…and yet…all puzzles have a beginning and an end, right?
With her heart feeling a bit lighter, Kagome, fully dressed in a pair of jeans and a light green, fuzzy long-sleeved shirt, pulled open the bathroom door. She was instantaneously greeted by a blast of cold air. Shivering and shrinking down into her clothes, she began to creep down the hallway, intent on sleeping a bit more and thinking about what to do. She gripped her wet towel as Kagome could hear faded, muttering voices coming from the general direction of the living room. She paused, not sure whether she should intrude or not. Deciding on heading for bed, she began to walk towards her room but something made her pause.
She had heard them say her name.
Quietly, she began to tiptoe over towards the voices. Kagome strained to hear, noting they sounded much like Miroku and Inuyasha, oddly hoping that they wouldn't notice her listening. Scooting closer to the doorframe, she froze, her breath stopping in her throat.
Why was she doing this? It was eavesdropping and it was wrong. Kagome knew she shouldn't be listening…and yet…she was somehow drawn to their conversation. She was like a moth being brought towards a light. She was fluttering dangerously close- one wrong move and she would be fried. It was a crass thing to do but their voices sounded so…cryptic.
What were they saying? Why were they being so quiet? Their voices were mere whispers. Tentatively, she peeked over the edge before jumping back so that she was hidden. From her quick glance, Kagome saw that it was indeed Inuyasha and Miroku speaking. Sango was asleep against Miroku.
"Inuyasha, we need to stop Daemon. We need to do something but…this is getting a bit too dangerous for some…" Miroku trailed off at the word 'some'.
"Just whom are you talking about?" Inuyasha demanded, looking around the room to make sure no one was listening. Luckily, Kagome was hidden from his view.
"I think Sango can handle this…I mean…after all…she's practically a black belt in karate and she would always rough house with her brother. And believe me…Sango has a painful and powerful punch! I would know." Miroku sounded nervous about what he was going to say. "But I don't think Kagome can handle this."
Inuyasha sat back in his chair, shifting his sore back. "I know what you mean. She's only gotten out of the clinic a little while ago…"
Miroku nodded in agreement, "I don't think she's stable enough to handle this right now. For goodness sake, there's a mad creature after us."
"She's had no training or practice in defending herself. She's been cooped up for a long time and her demon hunting years are long gone." Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, "I don't think I can fight with her around…I mean…she's only a liability. She's not useful and we need to keep the other half of the Shikon no Tama safe and away from Daemon's grasp. I don't want her to get in the way…she'd just distract me."
Kagome deflated as she heard their words. She felt her body grow weak as her towel dropped to the floor from her hands. Her eyes grew devoid of all emotions as they turned to a cold, dead icy shade. She clenched her hands in tight fists, her knuckles turning white while she bit her tongue to keep from lashing out with a diatribe argument.
"I think we should attack swiftly tonight. Wait until she's asleep and then we can sneak out." Miroku said.
A coppery taste filled Kagome's mouth as her tongue bled. Swiftly she slipped away from the door and headed back towards her bedroom.
If only she had remained a few minutes longer…she would have heard the rest of their conversation.
"Kagome's been through enough suffering and pain. She's sacrificed so much for us already. We can't risk losing her." Miroku stated as he fought back his emotions that began to show on his face- emotions of friendship, love and worry.
"I know." Inuyasha nodded, "If anyone lives after this…it deserves to be her. Kagome has to make it out all right…she has to have her happy ending…she just has to…"
~*~
Inside her room, Kagome fought back hot tears as their words repeated over and over again in her mind.
She's only a liability…
Only protecting half of the Shikon no Tama…
She's not useful…
She'll get in the way…
Her mind was distraught as she crept towards the window, examining the ofuda that sealed it shut. A strange calm overcame her as Kagome realized the pathway she must now follow. It was elusive to her…how could their attitudes and feelings towards her change so quickly? How? Was Daemon messing with their minds or had their friendship all been an illusion? She felt her heart flutter as it tried to emulate her negative feelings but failed as it began to enervate. She let out an impassive sigh as her hands moved up towards the ofuda. Her body was jerky and she felt as if she were a puppet on a string. She slowly dug her nails under the paper before hastily ripping back with a crackle of energy, tearing the paper off of the window. It fluttered to the floor, blackened as it settled on the carpet. Kagome pulled open the window, momentarily pausing to stare at the sky. It was growing dark as gray-black clouds began to block out the sun and the sky. She inhaled the cool air as she stepped into the windowsill, noting how the earth was not too far down. She could make it unharmed with a quick jump- hopefully.
Lassitude filled her soul as Kagome lunged out of the window, the earth coming towards her rapidly. She landed on her feet but the impact caused her to fall forward, landing in the dirt roughly. Trying to steady herself, Kagome stood up and ignored the trickle of blood running down her arm. Above her, the clouds began to open up as a few raindrops fell to the earth. A soft pitter-patter filled the air as the rain began to pour down faster.
The man she loved…one of her best friends…she never imaged both of them capable of perfidy.
She struggled to place a placid look on her face as she tightened her clenched hand. Inside it, her ring was glowing a faint pink color.
Kagome would save Shippo…and if possible…beat Daemon. She would prove to the others that she was strong enough…that she wasn't just a liability. With or without Inuyasha, she would fight Daemon. She would give her own life, if necessary, to destroy him.
She would take the bastard down with her.
Kagome decided that her bath was pointless as she was now saturated with freezing rainwater. Her mind was blank except for a few random thoughts such as how many times she shivered or how she couldn't believe her so-called 'friends' would say such things. Surely Sango did not feel the same way…
Fighting back tears, Kagome focused her mind on one thing as she sprinted down the street towards her desired destination.
Saving Shippo and destroying Daemon in the process.
~*~
Miroku froze, wincing for a second.
"What's wrong?" Inuyasha blinked at his friend, curious as to why he seemed pained for a brief moment.
"One of the ofudas…has been broken…" He muttered, rubbing his temple as he stood up and began to stride down the hallway with Inuyasha right behind him.
"Daemon?!" Inuyasha growled as he cracked his knuckles, hiding a hint of fear. His eyes wandered to a towel crumpled near the doorframe of the living room. He recognized it instantly as the one Kagome had taken into the bathroom with her. His breath caught in his throat at Miroku's next words.
"No…not Daemon…" They both rushed to Kagome's room, pulling the door open and almost knocking it off of its hinges.
The soft breeze that whispered through the empty room was answer enough for both of them.