Lauren: CONGRADULATIONS to Heather ( http:// www. fanfiction.net / profile. php?userid= 252785 ) for being my 1,000TH REVIEWER! –super glomp!- Thank you so much! Everybody, thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. You don't know how great this has made me feel and how much it means to me. You've truly helped me reach one of my dreams. When I first started writing this story, it was just a little idea that began. It was like a seed- it was tiny at first and I didn't really expect it to be much. I planted it and you all helped water it, letting the seed grow, letting my story flourish and slowly bloom into this beautiful flower. It started out as something small and now, it's so big. I never expected such a huge response and for that, I thank you. I'm dearly sorry for the long absence of updates. I'm finally over my sickness and I'm feeling much better, I only get a cough every now and then. I have no exact excuse for my slowness but if you truly want a reason, I've been kind of swamped down. I kept saying 'I'm going to write.' 'I'm going to finish the new chapter' but when I sat down to do it, I'd just stare at Word as if I expected the words to magically appear on the computer. Then, once I'd begin to type, it would already be time for me to go to bed. Honestly, I still had a few kinks in the story that I needed to fix to be able to finish it in the future. I had some things to figure out and I finally did. I've got it all planned now and I just need to write it. My friend can vouch for this, as I was pacing around like a lunatic at lunch on Thursday. My mind was a bit slow because of being sick and after I began to get better, I had testing at school. If you don't pass then you can't graduate in two years, so it was a bit on the stressful side. It was pretty easy but after you write an essay, you really don't feel like going home and writing more, plus, I swear, my brain had turned to mush after each day. To add to it all I found out recently that my grandmother isn't doing the greatest anymore and it freaked me out, as we're very close. If you're the religious type, please pray for her. Then I had a bunch of anime I'd downloaded and I really wanted to watch it, so I wasted hours watching anime on my computer instead of writing. On a side note, Fruits Basket is SUCH A GOOD ANIME! IT'S A MUST-SEE!! Wolf's Rain is very good also. And, FINALLY, I got everything worked out and was able to finish off this chapter to post. I'm feeling myself getting back in my groove, I'm refreshed and I'm ready to write! Thank you so much for putting up with me and waiting! I'll try not to leave such a big update gap again! I apologize for it! I'm sorry and thanks again! I hope you enjoy reading the new chapter, I had a lot of fun writing it, even if progress was slow. Ah, I couldn't believe some of you guys thought I'd ended my story in the last chapter! I do love cliffhangers but I'm not THAT evil! I wouldn't leave a story off like that! Believe me, when it ends, you'll know! ^_~ I tried to make this chapter longer than normal to compensate for my absence. Enjoy…
WarriorGL- Oh my gosh! I'd be honored if you painted a picture for my story! Thank you so much! I bet it'll be really good. If anyone cares to submit fanart, I'd be happy to post it on my site. Just email it to me here: watergoddess415@cox.net
Nytshad- Owie ::rubs her gnawed on legs:: Nope, I've never been dead before. I tried to image I was though, to write that scene. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to you that you, well, died? I'm glad you're okay now though! –hugs-!
Foxfur- Oh wow, thanks for the wonderful review! I'll be sure to add those songs to the soundtrack since they rock! I downloaded them and I really like them! Thanks so much! Hmm, I think we'll have some N bashing in the future chapters. We can't forget about Kikyo and everybody at the clinic just yet, now can we? Nope, nope, we can't! I you're your plans for the perfect ending. Aww, that's so cute that your husband calls you Foxfur. I've been called Little Red before but my friends somehow nick named me "Ed" after Edward from Cowboy Bebop. It's like officially become my second name now. I swear, my teachers must think I'm crazy cause I've had my friend yell "ED!" across my classroom and I answered to it.
Kawaii Bunny- I love the happy face. I hope you get better soon though! –glomp-
MikoGoddess- Whoops, sorry about my bad spelling. Yeah, I meant Darth Vador ^^;
Cold Fire Phoenix- Thanks. Hehe, I tend to stray often also. Thank you, I'm much better now! Everybody's good wishes for me probably helped! –huggles-
Diamond- Sorry for any confusion. At the end Kagome opened her eyes, meaning she's still alive, barely hanging on. The Shikon no Tama rejoined and become a whole, which was part of the reason why Kagome is alive now, it kind of helped her to be 'reawakened' in a sense. You know, lend her its strength. Nope, Kikyo hasn't been brought up recently so you haven't missed much. There's still going to be a few more chapters.
I'd like to add these two new songs to the soundtrack, thanks to Foxfur!
Barry Manilow- Weekend In New England
Barry Manilow- I Made It Through The Rain
~*~ Where Did You Go? ~*~
~By: Lauren~
-Chapter 29-
"Wings That Soar"
"What do you think you are doing?" Inuyasha paused; his twitching ears even coming to a rest for a second. He gave Kagome a queer look before he lifted up his pointer finger and pressed it against her forehead gently. The girl stepped back even though Inuyasha wasn't really using any strength.
Kagome pursed her lips, letting a frown adorn her face for a brief moment. She raised an eyebrow as she took another step back, away from the hanyou, and crossed her arms. "I WAS going to remove your subduing spell…you know…so you wouldn't slam into the ground when I said SIT!"
A tiny tremor went through the ground, causing Miroku and Sango to both glance up from the village. Through the night air, they heard a string of loud curses before laughter burst forth from them both. Shaking their heads, they returned to the conversation they were having, Miroku's healed hand clasping Sango's tightly.
"You just HAD to do that, didn't you?!" Inuyasha glared at Kagome as if he was scolding a child. He grumbled to himself, picking grass out of his hair while he spat out dirt.
"Just once more, for old time's sake." Kagome smirked, giggling. "But honestly, I'll remove it. I mean, there's no real need for it anymore. Naraku's gone…and I KNOW I can handle you and your little antics."
"Me? Antics? Keh, don't use such big stupid words." Inuyasha stubbornly crossed his arms, just as Kagome had been doing a moment ago.
"Listen, do you want me to remove it or not? Maybe I should just say the… "S" word one more time…" She tilted her head, looking up at Inuyasha with a devilish glint in her eye. The hanyou had to wonder when Kagome had become so mischievous and silly, not that he minded.
"Fine. Please, take it off." Inuyasha muttered, not realizing the blush Kagome gained when he said those words. There it was again- another one of her little giggles! Shaking his head, with a thought similar to 'what am I going to do with you', he bent down in front of Kagome.
Kagome smiled, casually reaching forward to finger the green beads that made up Inuyasha's rosary. The beads felt warm under her touch and they were smooth to her fingers. Gently, she began to lift it off of Inuyasha's head. Because of this rosary, they had been forced to work together and she could bring Inuyasha under her control anytime she liked. But…the necklace had much more meaning than 'subduing' him. Somehow…that rosary had become part of him, in a way. It was odd, removing it. Kagome knew she could trust him now and she didn't need a necklace to control him, if need be. She had her own ways, after all. There was just…no need for the rosary it seemed. Plus, she had sort of promised to remove it when everything was all over.
Inuyasha thought the same thing, for as Kagome took it off; he couldn't help but tremble slightly. When it was finally off of his neck, he somehow felt a bit…naked. He had become accustom to wearing the green necklace, although he was very relieved to be rid of that annoying slam-into-the-dirt feeling. It crept up on him and he never knew when he'd be doing a face plant.
"Here, you can have it if you'd like." Kagome held the necklace before him, letting it dangle from her fingers in front of his eyes, the white teeth-like beads glinting in the sunlight.
"Nah, it's okay. You keep it." Inuyasha sniffed the air, nudging the necklace towards her.
"A-are you sure?" She questioned, holding the necklace in the air.
"Keh, of course." Inuyasha snapped firmly, "Just take the damn thing!"
"Fine!" Kagome retorted harshly, but her features softened as she brought the necklace close to her heart. "Plus, now I can keep it handy and if you get out of control, I'll just smack it on you again."
"Ohhhh I DARE you to try that, you just wait and see what'll happen." Inuyasha huffed, eyeing her down.
"Maybe I will." Kagome's smile widened as she slipped the necklace into the breast pocket on her shirt, letting it settle in the clothe close to her heart.
~* End of Flashback *~
"Kagome…KAGOME!" Inuyasha whispered, stumbling towards her stirring figure. "Kagome, are you alright?" If he truly wasn't so exhausted and confused, he would have been jumping into the air and tackling Kagome to the ground in a humongous embrace.
The garden was literally spinning before the raven-haired girl. Everything was a hazy blur, as if the world had been painted with watercolors and the colors were leaking into one another. After a few seconds, her vision cleared, and Kagome managed to pull herself up a few inches weakly, using her elbows as support. Her chest was numb except for a faint, aching throb that pained her with every move. She nodded and slowly let her eyes drift to meet his gaze.
Her jaw almost dropped. Inuyasha was hobbling over to her, his outfit completely drenched in crimson red blood, dirty mud and rain. It was sticking to his body, showing off his well-formed muscles, while thousands of rips and tears littered it, blood flowing freely from his wounds. "T-thanks…" She muttered, concern radiating from her eyes as she watched him quietly. It hurt to even breath…
"Any time." Inuyasha smiled, slowly coming closer to her carefully. His entire body felt relieved to see her alive and OKAY. In fact, everything from when her heart stopped up until now was a complete blank in his mind. He just remembered an enormous hurt inside of himself.
Kagome let his words sink in and felt herself relax. Looking back into Inuyasha's deep amber orbs, she smiled. He collapsed to his knees next to her, gathering her in his strong arms quickly. Tetsusaiga sat near them both. Kagome smiled- she wasn't lost or alone. Inuyasha was right there and if she fell, he'd be there to catch her. Feeling a burst of love for Inuyasha, she pushed upward, even though it was painful, and kissed him.
Inuyasha blinked for a second, dumbfounded, before he realized what Kagome was doing. Pulling her closer, he kissed back, all the while thanking whomever was responsible for him to be blessed with such a woman.
Kagome pulled back a little, leaning her forehead against his while Inuyasha muttered, "Don't you ever do that to me again." He ordered sternly, looking into her eyes with a mix of worry, fear and compassion.
She silently nodded yes before she let out a squeak of surprise. Somehow, she sensed Daemon coming before she actually saw him. Grabbing Inuyasha's shoulders and maneuvering quickly, she pushed with all her might and both of them tumbled to the side, rolling over a few feet just as Daemon's claws sliced into the dirt where they had previously been.
Inuyasha jumped up to his feet, careful to set Kagome down gently, before he grabbed Tetsusaiga in a flash. The sword felt good in his hands and he could almost feel its power coursing through his veins. He held onto the hilt tightly, his knuckles turning white while he gave the sword a test swing in front of him. He turned, glaring at Daemon while he wielded his sword. Daemon took this moment to relax, his body wildly trying to recover from the terrible blows he had received.
"Inuyasha, be careful!! Where's the Shikon?!" She called out loudly.
At the sound of the voices, both Miroku and Sango spun around from the battle with the shadow creatures. Their eyes widened at the sight of Kagome- alive. Rejoicing, they slashed at the creatures before dashing over to Kagome's side, bringing the girl into a bone-crushing hug.
"Sorry about that guys…" She muttered, blushing as she rubbed their backs gently.
"Don't EVER do that to us AGAIN!" Sango sobbed, stuttering over her words as she squeezed her friend tightly, terribly afraid that this was all a dream. What if Kagome was still dead? What if she was imagining this all happening? She had nearly lost her friend and it had scared her to death…it was like reliving the loss of her family all over again…and she knew she'd never be able to bear that again. Inuyasha and Miroku probably felt the same way. It was slightly strange because no one knew how to react to Kagome being alive. They all just felt a huge sense of relief and…thankfulness. After all, it wasn't every day that one of their close friends teetered on the edge of life and death. Maybe things like that happened in the past but this was a different time. Worry still consumed them though, after all, it wasn't as if Kagome's wound had instantly healed or anything. It was still there in all of it's sickening red, the only difference now was that the bleeding had almost stopped. The blood had begun to dry, crusting over the wound to slow fresh blood from replacing the old.
She couldn't hold it in any longer. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" Kagome muttered, choking back sobs.
"Shh…It's okay…" Sango whispered reassuringly in a way only a best friend could. "Don't you see Kagome? Right now…you are alive. So live."
Kagome stood there, completely flabbergasted.
It was so simple. Why hadn't she realized it before?
"I…I…don't understand…" The ebony-haired girl replied, her face crinkling together in slight confusion.
"We'll always listen to you Kagome, whether you're angry or sad…we'll always listen. We love you. We love everything about you- the good and the bad." Miroku answered her, smiling slightly, even if it came out lopsided.
Inuyasha turned from his stance of facing Daemon, half of his dirtied face showing, the other shrouded in his silvery hair. "Every day…I want to eat meals with you Kagome. I want to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. I want to laugh with you. I want to cry with you. I want to smile with you. I want to talk with you. I want to study with you. I want to grow old with you. I want us to be worried together. I want you to hear what I want. I want to be with you always…whether you have doubts, fears, sorrow or just plain joy. I'll take the bad with the good, just like Miroku said! I want to experience it all with you- all of it. Because I want to believe…I want to believe in us…I want to believe in happy endings…I want to be with you! It's all right if you get angry…although it might be hard. But you can't just disappear! Disappearing is like giving up!" His voice trailed off before he snorted indigently. He didn't even notice the tears that crept down his muddy face, leaving a clear trail behind them. "Sometimes…I want to go back and erase all the painful times we endured…I want to erase all the sad and hurtful moments…but then I get this feeling…this thought…that…even if I went back and erased all those times…somehow … somehow…the joyful times would then be gone too. We just have to take…things how they come…"
Kagome shivered, gritting her teeth as sweat slowly started to drip down her brow. "But I don't understand…why? Why…after all of this…can you still just sit there and still stay by my side? How…can you accept me so easily…? It's okay if you can't love everything…you've looked at the real me. I thought about it my whole life, wanting to be troubled. It's okay to be selfish. It's okay if you don't love my ugly self. Even so…you still want to be with me…" Water began to fill her vision. "It seems stupid. I thought…nobody… nobody would say to me the things you do. Inuyasha… Inuyasha…why are you… saying the one thing I want to hear right now? Why is someone like you…with me…crying for me? Why? I…just…I…why…" Her voice began to waver as her vision blurred once again, but this time, this time…it was from tears. Kagome brought her hands up to her face, balling them into fists, which she pressed tightly against her eyes, futility attempting to stop her tears.
"Because…Kagome…just…because…" Inuyasha smiled faintly, "I love you. And, after all, I could ask you the exact same thing. How did you accept me so easily? A hanyou? A reincarnation of a hanyou? Why?" He turned back around, his gleaming eyes landing on Daemon's angry form. "I think you know the answer, in your heart…"
Trembling, Kagome nodded slowly. "I…I understand…I think…I think…I understand…" Her heart was pounding like crazy; it was thrusting in her chest so hard she thought it would explode. Everything was winding inside of her- the fear, the adrenaline, the rush, the pain, the joy, the panic, the worry- everything. "I'm scared. But…but…from now on…together…together…I want to be with you! I'll…I'll never regret any of this!!" Kagome screamed, her voice portraying so much emotion that the trees seem to shudder and the rain ceased pounding so hard against their backs for a brief second. The flowers were drooping under the rain with their heads bowed while their leaves were brutally ripped off. She dropped to her knees, the impact causing a tiny splash of mud to splatter into the air. That's when Kagome saw it- a pink glowing ball to her right. Weakly, Kagome leaned forward, stretching her body out like that of a regal cat. She could just reach it- and it felt warm against her fingertips as she attempted to gather it in her hands. Finally, she managed to pull the Shikon no Tama close enough that she could grasp it in her hand tightly, causing her skin to tingle with an odd sensation.
She was right- just as she thought- it was the completed Shikon no Tama. Kagome gasped, not sure how the two pieces had ended up together. Either way, she was not one to question it at the moment. Smirking, she waved the object in the air and yelled out to Inuyasha, "I'VE GOT IT!! I CAN PURIFY IT NOW!" Kagome smirked, pulling herself into a sitting position on her knees. The smirk slowly grew into a smile as she lifted her clenched hand into the air. Her grip was firm and strong as she felt the Shikon no Tama inside it almost begin to move. It was vibrating.
Inuyasha's jaw went slack as he realized what she was about to do. "No- KAGOME! DON'T! YOU'RE TOO WEAK TO TRY NOW!" He yelled over the rain as he tried to scramble over towards her while keeping a close eye on Daemon. The rain lifted his words away as the mud caused him to lose his footing and slip, letting Inuyasha clumsily thud to the ground with a splat. He pulled his upper body into the air using his weary arms. Mud caked his numb face as his eyes looked directly at Kagome. The others too seemed to comprehend what was going on and both Sango and Miroku's eyes widened. They turned, giving Kagome the same shocked stare that Inuyasha had.
Kagome looked at the three, a smile still played across her lips. "I'm not too weak to purify the Shikon no Tama." A quiet laugh escaped her rosy lips, "After all, I have you all as my strength." A sober look passed on her face but it was gone as fast as it had appeared. One would think they had imagined it or it was a trick from the rain. Inhaling a deep, cold breath, Kagome prepared herself. "…Remember…no regrets…" With a final nod at her dear, beloved friends, she tightened the clasp she had on the ball of Shikon no Tama. "Don't worry, I won't run anymore. I won't hide. I won't let the darkness get me…" A brilliant pink light poured forth from her hand, illuminating up the entire garden. It blinded all occupants, causing them to turn away and shield their eyes. It was spectacular, dazzling, luminous, radiating and stunning- and yet so much more. No mere adjective could describe the sight as the pink color began to change rapidly. It went from rose to cherry to pink again, then to cyan to honey brown to sea blue to a sunset orange and through so many more colors. It was a million colors at the same time and yet…it was one.
If everyone's thoughts weren't so focused on what was happening, they'd surely be worrying about the sight they were creating and if anyone left in the clinic was watching them. Heck, if anyone saw then the clinic would probably be overrun with new patients. I mean, it wasn't that Inuyasha wouldn't mind having new people to make more money off of, but he could only take so much work. Plus, after this, he was thinking of taking a long, LONG vacation. Maybe even start a new career. As long as he had enough money to support himself and Kagome, then he was happy.
He, and the others, could only stare in complete awe and astonishment at what was taking place. They were speechless and fully take back. Even all of Daemon's attention, along with his shadow creatures, was turned towards the girl and the blinding light that surrounded her. Nobody could move- nobody could even dare to move a single muscle.
Sango couldn't help but think to herself, "I hope the night ends soon. I hope tomorrow's light is clear and bright…and it dazzles my eyes."
As fast as the pink light appeared, it was gone. Regaining his senses, Inuyasha shook his head to stop his vision from swimming wildly with colors and focused in on Kagome. She was standing up tall, her hand that had been in the air now lowering itself until it was level with her heart. Her eyes were shut and all of her hair was flying around untamed. It was as if a huge gust of wind was swirling around her, causing her soaked and blood stained clothes to rustle, causing her hair to whip about her face, causing the flowers to tremble and the earth to shake. All around her was movement and a faint, pink light that had been lowered to a less-blinding limit. It was as if someone had begun to shut the blinds, blocking out at least half of the light. Last time…last time Kagome had attempted to purify the Shikon no Tama…it had been so different. There had been a flash and before any noticed, Kagome was on the ground, unconscious and barely breathing. His thoughts interrupted, Inuyasha looked on in surprise as one of Daemon's shadow creatures dared to approach the girl, running full speed towards her with fangs bared and claws held outward. Inuyasha began to leap forward to protect his Kagome but stopped as the creature disintegrated the moment it touched the wind that surrounded her. A choked cry emerged from the shadow, filling the air before it became silent once again. Not even the nightly crickets chirped- all was silent. Eerily, even the rain was missing its normal pitter-patter. As much as Inuyasha hated to admit it, he was helpless. It was up to Kagome now.
Kagome's eyelids fluttered open and Inuyasha felt his breath leave him- a breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding.
Her left eye was totally black while her right eye was pure white. There were no more pupils or anything of the sort- it was only black and white. Tiny bubbles of blood began to seep out again from Kagome's wound but it didn't appear to affect her. She stood as still as a statue, the Shikon no Tama clenched tightly against her heart in her hand.
Inuyasha knew Kagome wasn't with him anymore- she wasn't there at all. That wasn't the girl he loved. She was somewhere else now…somewhere that he couldn't be…a place where no human had gone before. A place where humans didn't belong.
She was inside the Shikon no Tama now.
Behind him, Inuyasha could hear Sango quietly sing softly to herself.
"If we can find the rhythm of time, we can fly once again
We live our lives
Wandering to the ends of the earth.
Believing in you, now I begin my journey with you,
In search of the light.
As we live on,
We lose a little bit more.
Shrouded in falsehoods and lies,
We stand frozen to the spot, unable to cry out"
~*~
The world grew fuzzy around her, streaks of gray slicing through the solidity of the garden, and there was a sound like rushing air, a sound like a train roaring by at a hundred miles an hour. Trembling, Kagome squeezed her eyes shut before she opened them again. Tendrils of black swirled around her, circling her in dark ribbons but not touching her. It was drawing her upwards and moments later, she found herself in a mist of empty, endless darkness, her only company a warm, round pink light that pulsed like a beacon in the distance. It was like a lighthouse, calling out to her. She wasn't sure how she knew how, but she propelled her body forward, floating through the darkness like a ghost. In a way, she felt like she was a ghost. As that sphere of pink grew larger, a warmth began to travel through her body, and Kagome knew that finally, finally, she was where she was supposed to be.
She was not alone anymore.
The Shikon no Tama whispered into being in front of her, floating from the pink sphere like a rosy mist; its body was that of a beautiful, slender young woman with fiery auburn hair and a pink-white glow ripped over her flesh like a flame. She was clothed in a simple gown of silken, pure white. It fit her loosely and at the same time, perfectly, like a glove.
"A-are you…the Shikon no Tama…?" Kagome whispered, a tremble in her voice. The mere sight of her brought tears stinging to her eyes, but she forced them back with all of her strength. Anger was clenching in her muscles and trembling through her limbs, and if she didn't focus on it, if she didn't cling to it, she would never be able to find the courage to say what she had to say.
When she finally spoke, she was shocked that her voice didn't quaver. "Why?" she demanded, fists balling at her sides now. "Why did things turn out like this? Why didn't my last wish come true? Why did you refuse to grant it so long ago?"