Broken Pain
Inuyasha held Kagome close that night by a blazing fire. Everyone slept, but Kagome and Inuyasha. He nibbled on her neck and licked whatever wounds he made. Kagome scratched behind her ears with her claws and sighed. Kagome stood up as the two girls awoke silently, sensing the movement. Kagome began to walk while Koishii-Yume and Sango followed on instinct; they were also worried about Kagome's mood.
Once they were all out of ear range of Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Shippou, Sango said, worried; "What's wrong, Kagome?"
"I don't know," Kagome sighed, "it's just I feel all weird... I don't get it at all. It's like, I'm someone completely different around Inuyasha. I never thought I could act that way."
"Don't worry," Koishii-Yume smiled, "it's normal. I mean, before I met Sesshoumaru, I felt really uncomfortable being around anyone. Then, I met him and I could be around people again, at least, for a while he had to be with me. It's the best feeling, but sometimes with him, I tend to act more... intimate."
"Koishii's right," Sango sat down and the others followed. "It's completely natural, just like..." Sango looked around and found a flower. "A flower. It's natural for it to bloom in the spring, but then in fall, it begins to die. It acts differently in the spring than in the fall."
Kagome sighed and stood up, "We better get back to camp, who knows what'll get us out here?" Kagome's ear twitched then and she spun to look around. She began to whisper, "Hear that?"
Koishii-Yume perked her ears up a little and moved her head around a little. In reply, she whispered; "A little bit, but what is it?"
"The scent is strange..."
Sango clutched the handle of the large, bone boomerang on her back; she was prepared for whatever was coming their way. She may be just a human, but she could fight as well as any other hanyou or youkai.
Something landed in front of them; it wore white baboon soot. He chuckled and smirked, "Finally, we meet in private."
"What do you want," Koishii-Yume snapped, building up all the strength she contained.
"I want to speak with you."
"About what," Kagome snarled, showing her fangs.
"Down, kitty, I just want to make a harmless deal."
"We don't make deals with youkai who steals hearts," Sango exclaimed.
"I don't want your pathetic heart, tai-jiya. Your hearts are no use to me. Well, only Kagome's, but her heart is in shards, so it shouldn't be hard."
"Spit it out already, Naraku!"
"I want to help you."
"Help us," Koishii-Yume said, "you're lying. What do you really want?"
"Help you gather the heart shards. If you help me, I spare your friend's lives."
"You have no chance over us!" Koishii-Yume grabbed her silver bow and prepared at arrow to shoot at Naraku.
"Tsk, tsk, Koishii-Yume. You shouldn't play with weapons." A strong wind knocked Koishii-Yume to the ground and knocking her bow and arrows away. "I can make sure Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sesshoumaru stay alive for you three to enjoy when this is over."
"You want to make sure that happens," Sango spoke up, "then stay away from us and them!"
"Ku, ku, ku, I can't just do that... There's a lot of trouble in this world. I can cause some of it or stop a lot of it."
"What do you want?"
"I want the shards Kagome has already gathered into that empty heart of hers."
"Zettai," Kagome exclaimed, "I'm keeping my heart! You can't take them from me!"
"You'd be amazed how I can..." Naraku approached Kagome.
Sango, Koishii-Yume, and Kagome all tried to move, but they were frozen. Nani? What's this...? Kagome thought. I can't move. Inuyasha, tasukete kure!
Naraku stepped up to Kagome and went to touch her, but he pulled away, smoke coming from his hand. "Such miko powers you contain, girl," Naraku smirked. "I can just take your soul away first then."
A small girl with white hair, wearing all white clothing, and holding a mirror walked out of the shadows. She first stood in front of Sango. A white, sheer spirit floated from Sango and went into the mirror. The little girl still held her plain, emotionless expression. Approaching her next victim, Koishii-Yume struggled a little, but she looked into the mirror. Another spirit, just like Sango's, floated out of her, making her movement discontinue.
"Wha-what are those," Kagome said, still frozen to the spot.
"Souls," Naraku said, "souls of your precious friends. They would get in the way. Kanna, take care of Kagome."
Kanna stood in front of Kagome and Kagome looked into the mirror. She began to feel weak; her body fell to the ground. Kanna was still taking souls, even after Kagome had fallen.
How can one soul be so large? Naraku pondered. She's only a miko... How can this be!
Kanna's mirror cracked a little. In her quiet, small voice, she said, "Her soul is too big... I have to let them out or else the mirror will break..." Kanna held the mirror out and piles of souls flew out, returning to their natural bodies.
After Kanna's mirror was emptied of all the souls it carried, she stepped back into the shadows. Naraku looked back and said, "Kagura, take care of them. We have no use for them..."
A figure stepped out slightly, her face hidden. The mouth curled itself into a smirk and she chuckled lightly. Inuyasha came out; holding Tetsusaiga as Miroku and Sesshoumaru followed behind him. The mouth only moved a little to say one word, "Yo."
"Kagura..." Inuyasha hissed, "What'd you do, Kagura!"
"I haven't done anything," Kagura smirked, walking into the moonlight. She held her fan up over her nose and mouth. She turned around and scowled; Naraku still doesn't trust me... Damn him!
"What's wrong with Kagome?"
"Her soul is still returning to her. Poor girl, she won't be able to see her precious hanyou die." Kagura leaped into the air, swinging her fan. The fan released blades of wind that attacked the three men.
They dodged, only Miroku having some difficulty. They all looked up at Kagura. She smirked once more, "So pathetic. A hoshi, youkai, and hanyou? Working together? I never thought I'd see the day... I'm sure it's your last!" Kagura swung her fan once more. This time, the fan released tornadoes that attacked them violently.
Inuyasha snarled and lunged at her, ready to swing Tetsusaiga. Kagura dodged, leaving Inuyasha to attack a tree instead. He spun around, lunging at her again. Kagura swung her fan, releasing its blades of wind again. Inuyasha landed on the ground, holding them back with Tetsusaiga.
Kagome stood up wearily to see the sight of Inuyasha and Kagura fighting. Kagome put her hand over her chest and then looked at her hand slowly, turning it slightly. She was bleeding, but that didn't matter now. Inuyasha was in trouble and she had to help him.
Inuyasha snarled as he held up Tetsusaiga. Sesshoumaru stood on the side, watching Inuyasha fight rather than helping; Miroku knew best to never, ever mess with Inuyasha when he's fighting, ever. Inuyasha focused, remembering a technique he had only done once on a dummy with a fake youki. He saw the Wound of the Wind, the thing that allowed him to use Kaze no Kizu, the highest attack of Tetsusaiga he knew so far.
Kagura's eyes widened. The Wound of the Wind! How can it be? Could it be... Tetsusaiga? Kagura controlled the Wound of the Wind, so Inuyasha couldn't see the break where he could strike. Be able to control the wind gave Kagura a huge advantage over this attack.
Kagome held up Koishii-Yume's bow and grabbed one of her arrows. She kicked the broken bow (that once belonged to her) aside and aimed, her body still shaking from loss of her souls. She pulled the arrow back, stretching the bow's string. Closing one eye, she forced her body still for a few seconds, so she could aim properly. Letting the arrow fly, she clutched a hand over her chest, covering the wound.
The arrow flew in front of Kagura. She backed away slightly, surprised and horrified. The arrow is purifying my youki!
Inuyasha took this as his chance, he swung Tetsusaiga and screamed, "Kaze no Kizu!" Lights of power from Tetsusaiga escaped and jolted at Kagura.
She looked around, panicking at the power about to go through her. Kagura took a feather out of her hair, threw it up in the air--creating strong winds blowing everywhere--, and flew away on the now enlarged feather. She looked back at the angry hanyou.
Her clothes torn, she flew off to Naraku's castle somewhere in the Northwest. On her back, there was a burnt scar in the shape of a spider imprinted on her back. "She was detachment of Naraku," Miroku pondered aloud.
"Big deal," Inuyasha snapped. He rushed over to Kagome, putting his hand over her own that was still clutched over her chest. "Kagome, what happened?"
"I... I don't know," Kagome collapsed into Inuyasha's chest.
"Kagome!"
"Inuyasha... Ta-tasukete kure."
"I'm here, Kagome."
"Inuyasha..."
"Kagome!"
Kagome tossed and turned, sweat dripping, her partial heart pounding, and her head felt like it was splitting in two. Kagome closed her eyes as tight as she could. Clenching her teeth, she was remembering something... Something that was very, very painful to her.
Inuyasha walked in and came to Kagome's side, stroking her hand softly. "Kagome..."
"Itai," Kagome whispered. "Stop, onegai..."
"Kagome, wake up."
Kagome squeezed her eyes closed even tighter. "Yamete..."
"Kagome, wake up." Inuyasha shook her a little.
Kagome woke up and looked around, she was in Kaede's hut resting in bed. Inuyasha was holding her hand, looking into her eyes. "Are you okay, Kagome," Inuyasha asked, very concerned.
"I'm fine," Kagome whispered, sitting up a little. She winced and looked down at her wound.
"You're lucky," Inuyasha scooted towards her. "You're surviving an injury like that."
"I'm not lucky... You treat me so kindly and I don't even know why."
"I love you, that's why. I love you more than anyone."
"But I don't even know what that means. I can't even return the kindness you show me."
"As long as you're alive and you're near me, that'll be enough." Inuyasha laid Kagome down. "Sleep, you've got a lot of healing to do."
"Arigatou..." Kagome rested her head on the pillow, holding the blanket close to her.
"Anything for you," Inuyasha went to the other side and crawled under the blanket next to her. "Good night, Kagome."
Kagome drifted off to sleep, feeling warmer then before. Inuyasha rested his arm over her waist and nibbled and kissed her neck. Understand what love is soon, Kagome... Onegai. I miss you too much, koibito.
Sango sat by the fire with Miroku, resting her head on his shoulder. "Miroku," Sango said, "how do you think it's like to be that in love with someone, but that person doesn't even understand love?"
"Painful," Miroku replied, "very painful."
"Poor Inuyasha... but poor Kagome. Someone loves her and she can't even feel the love in her heart because it's, well, gone."
"Hai, but she'll love again one day."
"I hope so... Being in love is so unimaginable and indescribable."
"Is that how you feel about me?"
Sango looked at Miroku and back at the fire, blushing; "I-I guess."
"I love you too, Sango," Miroku put an arm around her waist and held her there.
Sango gave him a small kiss and snuggled closer to him. I didn't actually say that I loved him, but he knew I wanted to say it. I guess it's meant to be after all...
Koishii-Yume smiled at the two and went to sit next to the river. She sighed and took her seat beside the river. Koishii-Yume stared down at all the fish and the moon reflecting off the water. Someone came up from behind her and Koishii-Yume smiled, "Konichiwa, Sesshoumaru, come and sit next to me."
Sesshoumaru took a seat next to Koishii-Yume and said, "Why do you always come out here like it actually means something?"
"You really have forgotten a few things about me," Koishii-Yume looked up at the stars and barely even showed a small smile on her face. "My father and I would gaze at the stars every night. Sometimes, we'd be silent or talkative. Other times, we'd be sulking or laughing like mad. Every time I come out here, I remember those times and the talks we'd have, whether they were pointless or not."
"I missed you a lot, Yume, whether you believe it or not. Why didn't you at least try to go to the cave?"
"All you ever talked did, slept, and dreamt about was soul exterminating. It wasn't what I wanted."
"You could've told me."
"I thought you would get mad. You seemed to love it so much, I just... couldn't stand the brutal one-day and then, I came to that cave. I didn't really want to return, but then, I did want to because I loved you so much. Seeing everyone so happy with their someone made me feel so alone again..."
"Gomen..."
"You should really get back to your time, Rin might start to worry. I mean it, Sesshoumaru. I'm worried about that little girl. Sesshoumaru, go back to your time."
"The cave will seal when I return, I won't be able to see you anymore."
Koishii-Yume bit her lip, but then she smiled, remembering what Kagome and Sango had said. "You can use the well."
"The well?"
"Hai, Kagome-chan and Sango-chan used it to get here, you can use it to get back."
"A well?"
"Yes, Sessy-Puppy, a well! Do you have to keep on fixating on that?"
"Gomen..."
Kagome woke up the next morning and saw Inuyasha sleeping in front of her. She stroked some hair away from his face except she had no claws. Kagome lunged up and felt the top of her head, no ears. Kagome tried to move her tail, but when she looked, there was no tail. Kagome felt the inside of her mouth; there were no fangs at all.
Kagome shrieked and ran under a blanket, shaking in fear. Inuyasha woke up and saw the shaking blanket. He looked under it and there was a human Kagome shaking there. "Oi, what's up with you," Inuyasha asked.
"I'm human," Kagome replied, looking up at him.
"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be happy about that?"
"Nani?"
"You wanted to be human..."
"Oh, I didn't know... Well, I guess I could, um, just go walk around a little..."
"No way!"
"Why!"
"You don't have your hanyou powers, you can't just go waltzing around! Do you want Naraku to know that you turn human the first day of the half moon?"
"Umm... No?"
"There you go, now stay." Inuyasha got up and walked out.
Kagome sat up and felt a tiny bit of pain from her wound, but she looked around. Inuyasha was nowhere in sight. Kagome put on her school uniform and walked outside, hopping as she was putting on a shoe. She ran out and bumped into Sango.
"Kagome," Sango exclaimed, "you're getting well enough to walk!" Sango hugged her.
"Itai," Kagome shouted.
"Gomen..." Sango released the hug and blinked at Kagome. She poked Kagome, "Am I dreaming?"
"No, I'm human!" Kagome smiled. "It feels good, I don't have to worry about someone trotting on my tail!"
"That sounds so weird, but that's great! Want to go back to your world and have some fun? God knows I want a real bath and some clothes. We also need to get some food, I'm tired of eating fish every night."
"Okay... how?"
"Kagome, what do you think is always around your neck? It's called the Shikon no Tama, you can use it to get back and forth through the well!"
"Oh... I knew that."
"So, come on!"
"Matte," Koishii-Yume exclaimed, coming up next to them. "You need to take Sesshoumaru with you."
"Nani? Why," Sango said.
"If he goes through the cave, it'll seal behind him and he can't come back to see me and I can't go see him!"
"It's okay with me," Kagome smiled.
"Great!" Koishii-Yume gestured something over. It was Sesshoumaru wearing a black suit with a black dress shirt. His hair was pulled back into a loose, low ponytail and he didn't have his usual marks on his face. His ears were also human looking.
"Sugoi," Sango said, "that's something... different."
"Come on." Koishii-Yume took Sesshoumaru's hand as he stood next to her.
"What about Koishii?" Kagome asked.
"Oh, I'm not coming with..."
"You should," Sango replied. "It'll be fun. You could say your Sesshoumaru's secretary!"
"He doesn't have one."
"You just got hired. How does that sound?"
"Good... I guess, but how am I suppose to hide my ears?"
"You can use your hair."
"Okay..." Koishii-Yume threw her in front of her ears and smiled, "Do I look okay?"
"Just fine."
"Okay, let's go!" Kagome smiled. Kagome held Sango's hand as Sango held Koishii's and Koishii held Sesshoumaru's. She was about to jump in when Sango's released from hers. A new one grabbed Kagome's hand. Kagome gulped and studied the hand and the clothes around the wrist. She turned and smiled nervously, "Konichiwa, puppy!"
Inuyasha growled, "Where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my original time... with Sango-chan, Koishii-chan, and Sesshoumaru-sama..."
"I don't think so!"
"Why!"
"I said so, that's why."
"You can't control me."
"Sure I can."
Kagome looked over his shoulder for help from Sango and Koishii. The two exterminators looked at one another and back at Kagome, they nodded their head. Kagome took in a deep breath and shouted repeatedly, "Oswuari, osuwari, osuwari, osuwari, osuwari, osuwari!"
Inuyasha's hand twitched as he laid face down into the ground. Kagome huffed and said calmly, "You can't control me." Sango took Kagome's hand and each one of them became a chain once more. Kagome jumped in, taking the other three with her. They all entered through the well and came out the other end.
"There's something I have to tell you," Sango said as they traveled.
"What's that," Kagome replied.
"Your little brother, Souta, might be waiting. He was hoping to see you, but then your hanyou side showed and you were worried. You left a few years ago because of your mother's hate for hanyou's and youkai. That's the case, so, if he's waiting, tell him you only have a limited amount of time. You actually do because we don't know how long this'll last."
"Okay..."
The group of four landed on the other end and Kagome looked up, seeing someone she never, ever thought she'd see at the well, at least, when she had her heart. How could she remember this person though? Was this person important in some way?
