Long Gone and Forbidden

By: Dragon Lady

Chapter Five

The place was not what was expected. The Rebel city, Mikoto, was well guarded both naturally and mechanically. It was situated between two large tree crowded hills, and along the sides of a deep ravine. It was a masterpiece that Sango, Miroku, and Shaddow seemed to be especially proud of: a city built along the sides of a canyon. Balconies, walkways, and scaffolds were fixed to the walls or strung from support beams. Wide semicircular platforms protruded from the rock, which seemed to serve as gathering places for the inhabitants. Other, longer platforms were arranged in irregular rows with small huts and other similar constructions built on them, clinging to the canyon sides. Rope bridges spanned the chasm at its narrow points. At the bottom, glimmering dully in the seemingly paled sun, was a fast flowing river.

Inuyasha was stunned that a city could thrive so well in such as place. His gold eyes caught people trading with demons and sitting amongst them, talking and carrying on as if it were all very common.

"We'll get you four settled in before we explain the past happenings from the many long years." Miroku commented as Keylala landed and waited patiently as her passengers quickly clambered off before shrinking back to her more convenient size.

"And take care of any wounds." Sango added with a frown to the monk. He just smiled a bit cocky and tried to roll his arm in its socket again. He winced and leaned on his staff, figuring he'd best just leave it alone for now. The other priests and healers would take a good look at it. They all knew it wasn't going to be the same for a while.

"Colin!" The exterminator called, and almost immediately, a young fox demon, kitsune, bounded up, jumping onto her shoulder. He was no taller than her knee and could have been mistaken as a toddler if not for the enthusiastic entrance. His hair and fur were two different shades of auburn and his eyes a bright blue.

"Yer back!" He cried, small fangs showing. Kagome's heart twisted, remembering what the inscription on the tree said.

/.as he devoured Shippo and Shade./ She bit her lip. It was all her fault. If she hadn't left, the kitsune would still be alive, and Inuyasha would still. did he ever really, though? Or had she mistaken his change and protectiveness for something else? She'd never know now.

Sango cuddled the fox demon briefly before speaking. "Yes, /we're/ back. I'd like you to show our friends here to their huts, you know. The ones we set up for them before we left."

"Yep!" He chirped cheerily and leapt from the young woman to the young man leaning on his staff. "And did Miroku use his Wind Tunnel again?"

Miroku chuckled softly, scratching the kitsune on the head. "Yes, although only once." Colin frowned and pouted, lower lip stuck out and trembling. Miroku frowned as well, "I know, I know. You wanted to see, but you knew it would happen, and you didn't come. So, in reality, it's your fault."

"I know." The kitsune pouted some more. Sango shook her head.

"Colin. Can you take them to their huts?" She asked as she picked up the young one. He nodded, immediately happy once again.

"This way!" He cried and bounded off towards the nearest bridge.

"You know we made more than one room." Colin said innocently as Inuyasha ducked into the middle hut. The half demon ignored him. He set the limp form down on the raised wooden pallet with goose-down mattress. Then, he pulled the neatly folded blanket at the foot of the bed up around the girl's shoulders and left.

He gave the kitsune and Kagome a glare before sitting down right in front of the doorway. "You got a problem?" He growled when the dark haired girl didn't look or jump away.

"My problem? What's /my/ problem? I'd like to know what /your/ problem is, Inuyasha! I can understand that you'd be mad at me leaving and coming back too late to help, but acting like a complete-"

"Shut the hell up, bitch!!" Inuyasha interrupted. "You have no clue-no freaking clue what you did to m-us!! I am this close to just ripping your head off!!" He held up his hand and indicated a very small distance. When Kagome opened her mouth to speak, the half demon swiftly withdrew his sword. But before he could do anything of harm towards the girl though.

"SIT!! SIT!! SIT!!!" Kagome nearly screamed, her voice echoing off the canyon walls. Inuyasha fell face first into the ground, hard. She didn't even wait for him to get up before she walked into the last hut and dropped onto the bed, glaring at the wall furiously. All her concentration set on wanting to burn a hole straight through it and pretend it was Inuyasha.

The dog demon, on the other hand, pulled his face off the ground and growled in the direction of the reincarnation. "I liked Kykiou a hell of a lot better than you! And that's saying a lot for the dead bitch!"

Of course it wasn't true. He had loved Kagome more than the priestess, but had fallen out when Naraku claimed all but one of the shards. And when he realized she wasn't coming back and someone else understood him better.

Colin, who had sat watching the argument with interest, glanced from the half demon to the hut before scampering away to find Sango and Miroku. Inuyasha composed himself, wiping the dirt and bits of rock off his face before leaning against the hut Nathifa was in.

"Sit!" The word was faint, but it still made the beads react and send him face first into the ground once more. It had been bad enough when she tripled the force, but when she tacked on an extra /after/ he had just gotten himself back to a relative normal. That had made him furious.

//I'll get her when she sleeps.// He thought evilly as he composed himself once more. He sighed and tilted an ear towards the hut he was guarding and leaning against, making sure the inhabitant hadn't been disturbed. Then, he settled for sleep, each arm stuffed into the opposite sleeve and the Tetsusaiga sheathed and leaned against his shoulder under his arms.

//"It's quiet." Shaddow grumbled.

"And very beautiful." Nathifa commented. The dark haired girl sat on the lowest branch of a cherry tree. Inuyasha sat above her, somewhat to the right, in his usual position. And he seemed transfixed on the water surface nearby.

She smiled a little sadly looking up at him. The sun was nearly down, and no one seemed to be paying attention to her or the half demon above her. She stood up on the branch, careful to keep her balance and the limb from shaking. The girl looked up and reached for the closest branch. She pulled herself up, making a few blossoms drop prematurely.

The petals landed gracefully on the water's glassy, tranquil surface, causing ripples to slowly rock one another. Inuyasha blinked, ears turning towards the noise from below him. He could hear Shaddow's soft curses, Miroku's murmurs, Sango stoking the fire and, with Shippo's help, making supper. He also heard someone, bare foot, quietly slipping from one branch to another with the occasional soft rustle of protesting limbs.

He sighed, decided to ignore her, hoping she'd leave him alone like last time. She reached the branch that was a little lower but was still next to the bough he perched on. Then, she sat, bare feet dangling high above the ground.

"Hey." Nathifa's voice was soft, almost unsure, but pretty. //Something that could never get old.// He blinked at his own thought before dismissing it. "Um."

"I'm fine. Thanks." Inuyasha muttered. His sensitive ears picked up her sigh, and he knew she must have rolled her eyes. "Really."

"Then look at me and say it. If it's the truth then you'll look normal." The dark haired girl said. She moved. Inuyasha didn't expect her to move onto his branch until the extra weight made the branch bend away from him even more. He made sure his startled feeling was carefully hidden behind the usual nonchalant mask. "Well, look at me."

"I'm thinking." He groused still staring at the calm lake. The sun was down completely, leaving only a retreating golden light in its wake. He looked at her solemnly. Nathifa's eyes were locked on his amber ones. "What?"

Her steel gray eyes lowered to the branch and her hands. "What are you thinking about?" A few strands of hair fell from behind her ear. She shook them out of her face and turned her eyes back to his.

"Kagome." The half demon stated bluntly. She made a noise of understanding and looked at the water. Several moments of silence passed, Inuyasha looking Nathifa's profile over, taking in every detail. The fading light was washing her pale skin, midnight hair, and steel eyes in a golden glow.

//Gods. she looks so much like Kagome. So beautiful.// A small smile tweaked his lips, making his firm look soften. His golden eyes stared at the young woman, memorizing every detail. She blinked and looked back at him, their eyes locking on each other's.

"I remind you of her. don't I?" Inuyasha wasn't sure if her pale pink lips had even moved. Her voice sounded like the wind gently blowing through the leaves and tangling itself in their hair to pull along. Wait. Her lips hadn't moved.

//The who.?// The white haired boy glanced around, immediately tense, waiting for the one who had spoken to show themselves or make so noise to indicate where they were. He was completely unprepared for what happened.

An ear flicked, hearing someone stir. He kept his eyes closed but listened carefully to see where the sound had come from. The girl shifted and mumbled his name before settling, still asleep. He smirked and let sleep claim him again.

The touch was firm, yet soft, almost like kissing a rose. Her scent was sweet and mesmerizing, and he was utterly stunned. Her supple lips had fallen on his, gently teasing. Her kiss sent goose bumps and a shiver running through his body, despite the heat from her mouth.

Nathifa slowly pulled away, chewing her lower lip nervously, eyes glancing at his every now and then. Inuyasha could smell the fear and excitement, knew she was feeling stupid just like him. She had kissed him and he had just sat there downright in shock and stupidity.

"Sorry." She murmured and started to climb down. Her foot hadn't even touched the next branch down before his lips were locked on hers again. She gasped slightly, titling too precariously. The half demon wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled the dark haired girl onto his lap, kissing her deeper.

//Kagome. no, Nat.//