MysticalDreamer: ::waves at everyone:: epilougue time! i decided to make
the last two chapters epilougues for a couple reasons. One: they aren't
told form Inuyasha's point of view. Two: they're slightly shorter than
normal. Three: I felt like it ^^
disclaimer: see previous chapters
epilougue: part one
Kagome came out of the well, back into her time. She had her bag with her, as she was staying for a while. She needed to help out.. with Houjo and things...
She headed for the house, and opened the door. "I'm home!" she called. There was the sounds of the TV from the living room, so she went to investigate.
She walked in to a news report.. about last night.
"... Never has there been such a horrific death in the past century in Tokyo." said the reporter lady. "A young school boy, aiming to gradutate high school this year, living in downtown Tokyo, was found brutally murdered last night in his own bed. The killer was believed to have entered the house through the smashed window, but this leads to speculations as the window was two stories up. How could someone have gone in?"
Kagome bit her lip.
"Kagome?" asked Sota, looking over the couch at his sister. She walked around it, and sat down next to him to continue watching.
"Requesting for the boy to remain annonymous, the boy's parents were shocked at their son's death."
It then showed a clip of Houjo's mother, and she couldn't stop crying. Her face was digitized out, so no one would recognize it. "I.. I . walked into his room.. and.. he was.. just.. laying there..." then she broke into hysterics, and couldn't talk anymore.
"How this murder was done is also a mystery." said the reporter when the screen flashed back to her. "It appears the boy, whom we shall call Mr. X, had his throat *slashed* out. Literally. It looked as if some time of knife, or even a claw, ripped across Mr. X's neck. It also appears that the killer then tried to take back what he had done, as there was some marks that showed a hand pushing onto his neck, as if trying to stop the bleeding. But no matter what the killer had done to stop it, Mr. X didn't stop bleeding. It is believed he died in a matter of seconds after the slash. Daisuke?" she said, turning to the man on her left.
The man nodded. "Forensics is desperately trying to figure out the mystery of the murder. They have searched for fingerprints, but they have been unsucessful so far. It seems as if this murderer has no identity. Either that, or he or she is some sort of phantom like creature, leaving no signs of their existance. Anywhere." he explained.
Kagome was staring wide eyed at the screen. A drop of sweat went from her forehead to her cheek. She whispered something unaudiable to others, but it sounded like, "InuYasha.."
Mrs. Higurashi drew in her breath. "Kagome? Sweetie?" she asked softly, looking at her daughter with concerned eyes. "Are you.. all right?"
Her reply was a slight nod, although she started to cry. She turned back to the TV, to hear what else they had to say.
"There are just so many mysteries to this murder." said the lady reporter. "The biggest are perhaps, the murderer themself, the weapon and why." she said.
"True, Hikari." replied Daisuke. "Mr. X had many friends, and barely any enemies. He was last seen at a sort of school function, which he attended with friends."
"He was also last seen, leaving the party with a female, around his own age. Police are trying to figure out who she was, to get some more clues on his death."
Kagome bit her lip again. She was that girl. What if they found her? She couldn't tell them a demon had done it.. they'd just laugh at her, and tell her to get serious.
What made it worse, was there was only four people that knew the truth. And two of them were dead.
"Its all over the papers.." whispered Sota, prodding his sister lightly. He handed her the newspaper.
Kagome looked at the headline. It read, "A LOVED ONE BRUTALLY KILLED". She bit her lip again, but didn't go on reading. It would probably say the same things as the television news anyway.
"I should.. probably go see Houjo's parents." she said.
"Oh, sweetie.." said her mother. "I'm not sure..."
"I need to go..." said Kagome. "I want to go. I feel as if.. I somehow caused this. I would feel so much better if I could do something."
"Kagome..." whispered Mrs. Higurashi.
Before anyone else could say anything, Kagome stood up and was out the door. She headed for Houjo's house slowly, and when she arrived, she found the press outside his door and even a police car.
"Just how am I supposed to get inside?" she asked herself.
"Back away folks!" shouted a police officer near the house. "This family does Not want to be bothered! Leave!" he ordered.
Needless to say, no one moved.
Kagome tried to push her way through the crowd, and did so in a good five/ten minutes. She reached the front and took a dash towards the door.
"Miss!" shouted an officer, running over and blocking her path. "I'm sorry, they do not wish to be disturbed. You need to leave."
"I am not with the press!" replied Kagome in a somewhat angry voice. "I wouldn't dream of exploiting the horror of my friend's murder for the sake of my career! I'm not even out of high school yet!" she said.
"He was your friend?" asked the officer.
Kagome looked at him in the eye, and nodded.
The officer sighed. "I'm terribly sorry, miss." he said. "The boy's parents have requested that no one enter."
Kagome sighed. "Thats.. thats all right." she said. "I understand. If you speak with them, could you tell them that Kagome Higurashi stopped by?"
"Sure." the officer nodded.
Kagome nodded a thanks and turned around. She pushed her way back through the mob of reporters and made it back to the sidewalk.
She stopped and looked up at the sky. She couldn't believe... Houjo was dead. He was gone forever, never to come back. To make things more complicated and confusing, the one she loved was the one who took away his life.
As tears again began to flow, she dashed off towards a park and kneeled down in the grass subconsciously. She ran her fingers through her hair and messed it up furiously, crying wildly.
She remained in the park for an hour or so, before finally standing up and heading out. She stopped by a fountain and washed her face.
Kagome arrived home later on, and said nothing as she went up to her room. She had told Inuyasha not to come back for her just yet. She would return on her own, when she was ready. The two of them didn't tell Miroku or Sango what had happened either, and they didn't ever intend to do so.
With so much going through her mind, and so much to comprehend and accept, she couldn't take it anymore. Kagome passed out and slept on.
"Kagome?" came her mother's voice from outside her door in the morning.
Her eyes fluttered open. She looked at her clock and saw it was still kind of early. "Yes mom?" she asked.
The door opened and Mrs. Higurashi came in. "I kind of know what you've been going through, so I figured I would leave you alone.."
"Its ok, mom." replied her daughter. She sat up. "I'm sorry I slept all day yesterday.. and all night."
"It's all right." said Mrs. Higurashi. "I thought I'd let you know.. Houjo's mother called. She asked me to thank you for coming over yesterday, and to apologize that she couldn't see you. Everything's just been so hard on her."
"Oh." said Kagome, standing up and walking over. "Should I call her?"
"She said not too.. she's disconnected her phoneline, and has a temporary anonymous cell phone. She doesn't want to speak to the press, but she needs some sort of means of contact."
"Okay." said Kagome. "What about.. the.."
Mrs. Higurashi understood what she meant. "She told me that she would let you know. She doesn't know anything about it yet, as his ... death is still a mystery, you know."
Kagome felt a pang of guilt. "Yeah..." she said softly.
The two of them stood in silence for a minute or so. That was when Mrs. Higurashi made a slight movement.
"Would you like something to eat?" she asked. "I don't think you've really eaten anything lately..."
Kagome was about to decline, when her stomach rumbled. She grinned slightly. "I guess I am kind of hungry..."
Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "I'll go make some pancakes. Does that sound any good to you?" she asked.
Kagome nodded and also smiled. "Sounds great, mom." she said.
Her mother disappeared down the stairs, and shortly after Kagome followed. In about fifteen minutes, the food was done and the family of four ate in silence.
Four days later, Houjo was laid to rest in peace. The cemetary was closed off to all, except those invited. His death was still a mystery, and only two people knew what actually happened. And that was how it would stay.
Kagome went back for a brief visit in the Sengoku jidai, with pleads from Inuyasha to come to the funeral. Kagome wouldn't let him, as it would raise some suspicsions. There weren't exactly white haired, half demons with dog ears running around Tokyo.
It was a quiet ceremony; no one talked much. Sota was clutching his mother's hand tightly the entire time, while Houjo's mother was crying silently, being embraced by her husband.
After it was over, Kagome wandered off on her own, with no objection. She had told her mother she was going to be alone for a while, and there was no objection.
She walked over into the nearby woods and sat behind a tree, listening and thinking. About an hour or two passed, when she finally stood up.
Kagome looked around and saw that everyone had left, even his parents. She walked over slowly to the grave and stared at it.
She whispered the engraved words outloud and kneeled down in front of it. She put her hand lightly on the tombstone and started to cry again.
"Houjo..." she whispered. She could almost see his face smiling at her.
"I wanted ... to tell you the truth.." she said, closing her eyes. She folded her hands on her knees.
"Its my fault... I was foolish.. and you're dead now.." she said. "I just want you to know.. if you want to blame someone... blame me. If it wasn't for me.. you'd still be alive and well.. and happy. You were a great guy Houjo... I'm sorry that.. I killed you..."
A twig snapped. "Don't say that."
She opened her eyes and looked around. "Inuyasha.. " she whispered.
"Don't tell him lies." said Inuyasha, sitting down next to her cross legged.
Kagome bit her lip. This was supposed to be something to be kept secret. She didn't want Inuyasha to know she blamed herself.
"Don't tell him that you did it." said Inuyasha.
"But I did!"
"No!" snapped Inuyasha. He jumped up and slammed his hand on the tombstone, without breaking it. "Ya hear that, Houjo!" he shouted at the grave. "Don't blame Kagome for this! Don't listen to what she's saying! If your gonna wanna hate someone for this, hate me!" he said.
Meanwhile Kagome had stood up, and was trying to stop her beloved from doing what she was doing.
"You've got no reason to hate her, so don't!" shouted Inuyasha. "She'll always have a spot in her heart for you, don't you doubt it!!"
"Inuyasha..."
He sighed and looked back to her. "There." he said.
She tilted her head a bit in a questioning way.
"He knows." said Inuyasha, looking up. "Don't worry.. he understands everything."
Kagome smiled a bit. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know I didn't." he replied. "I knew you were gonna blame yourself for this, and I didn't want that to happen."
"Inuyasha."
"We should leave now." he said. "Let this guy have some peace, before someone else comes along."
Kagome nodded. She took Inuyasha by the hand and they walked off. Neither of them looking back.
"Thank you...Inuyasha." she whispered.
"Don't mention it..."
"Hey Inuyasha?"
"Hmm?"
"... I love you."
"Yeah. I know. I love you too."
With that, they continued walking off... until they disappeared from sight into the distance...
MD: annnnnd thats all for part one! part two shall be up very soon, as all i have to do is edit it and finish it up. it shouldn't take very long either... heh..
now, before i move on to the thanks, when this is over i want to start a Miroku/Sango fic kinda like this, based off a song. if any of you have any good songs that sound like their relationship, let me know please! i did find a song i want to write a fic to, but first i need to find people to write it about... anyways, review! for the next chapter/epilougue is the last. see ya soon!
reviewer thanks
The Random Queen: as always, awesome penname ^^ i believe i did email you... and yes! KIKYO IS DEAD! HIGH HO!
XxX-SuPeiNGo RuuKii-XxX: ^^ thanks
Hanyou-Girl25: thankies much thankies ^^
Queen of Blades: why thank you ^^ lol
Jurei: much much much much thanks! i always love reading your reviews.. as i think i've said many many times... ^^ i must agree.. dubbed voices can screw up the show, but cartoon network is the only place for me to see inuyasha so i must stick with the dubbed.. ::sigh:: thanks again
ArtemisMoon: thanks! heh, i'm kinda sad its over too.. almost over anyway... i liked writing it ^^
Kagome takes over the wor: heh thanks
Houseki: yes.. i wish she died in every fic as well .. ::sigh:: thanks
CynicalSpiritValea: heh.... i think i will try to kill her with a walrus at some point.. heh.. and yes.. ff.net can be annoying sometimes... grr .. anyways, thanks a lot
Neverwhere: Chaos Mode: reviewer of two of my stories.. thanks! and i say again, awesome penname.. gah! must stop repeating myself! ^^;
anyone i forget... I AM SORRY!! if your not listed in the replies, i say thank you here... ja for now.. until the final chapter epilougue thing! ^^
disclaimer: see previous chapters
epilougue: part one
Kagome came out of the well, back into her time. She had her bag with her, as she was staying for a while. She needed to help out.. with Houjo and things...
She headed for the house, and opened the door. "I'm home!" she called. There was the sounds of the TV from the living room, so she went to investigate.
She walked in to a news report.. about last night.
"... Never has there been such a horrific death in the past century in Tokyo." said the reporter lady. "A young school boy, aiming to gradutate high school this year, living in downtown Tokyo, was found brutally murdered last night in his own bed. The killer was believed to have entered the house through the smashed window, but this leads to speculations as the window was two stories up. How could someone have gone in?"
Kagome bit her lip.
"Kagome?" asked Sota, looking over the couch at his sister. She walked around it, and sat down next to him to continue watching.
"Requesting for the boy to remain annonymous, the boy's parents were shocked at their son's death."
It then showed a clip of Houjo's mother, and she couldn't stop crying. Her face was digitized out, so no one would recognize it. "I.. I . walked into his room.. and.. he was.. just.. laying there..." then she broke into hysterics, and couldn't talk anymore.
"How this murder was done is also a mystery." said the reporter when the screen flashed back to her. "It appears the boy, whom we shall call Mr. X, had his throat *slashed* out. Literally. It looked as if some time of knife, or even a claw, ripped across Mr. X's neck. It also appears that the killer then tried to take back what he had done, as there was some marks that showed a hand pushing onto his neck, as if trying to stop the bleeding. But no matter what the killer had done to stop it, Mr. X didn't stop bleeding. It is believed he died in a matter of seconds after the slash. Daisuke?" she said, turning to the man on her left.
The man nodded. "Forensics is desperately trying to figure out the mystery of the murder. They have searched for fingerprints, but they have been unsucessful so far. It seems as if this murderer has no identity. Either that, or he or she is some sort of phantom like creature, leaving no signs of their existance. Anywhere." he explained.
Kagome was staring wide eyed at the screen. A drop of sweat went from her forehead to her cheek. She whispered something unaudiable to others, but it sounded like, "InuYasha.."
Mrs. Higurashi drew in her breath. "Kagome? Sweetie?" she asked softly, looking at her daughter with concerned eyes. "Are you.. all right?"
Her reply was a slight nod, although she started to cry. She turned back to the TV, to hear what else they had to say.
"There are just so many mysteries to this murder." said the lady reporter. "The biggest are perhaps, the murderer themself, the weapon and why." she said.
"True, Hikari." replied Daisuke. "Mr. X had many friends, and barely any enemies. He was last seen at a sort of school function, which he attended with friends."
"He was also last seen, leaving the party with a female, around his own age. Police are trying to figure out who she was, to get some more clues on his death."
Kagome bit her lip again. She was that girl. What if they found her? She couldn't tell them a demon had done it.. they'd just laugh at her, and tell her to get serious.
What made it worse, was there was only four people that knew the truth. And two of them were dead.
"Its all over the papers.." whispered Sota, prodding his sister lightly. He handed her the newspaper.
Kagome looked at the headline. It read, "A LOVED ONE BRUTALLY KILLED". She bit her lip again, but didn't go on reading. It would probably say the same things as the television news anyway.
"I should.. probably go see Houjo's parents." she said.
"Oh, sweetie.." said her mother. "I'm not sure..."
"I need to go..." said Kagome. "I want to go. I feel as if.. I somehow caused this. I would feel so much better if I could do something."
"Kagome..." whispered Mrs. Higurashi.
Before anyone else could say anything, Kagome stood up and was out the door. She headed for Houjo's house slowly, and when she arrived, she found the press outside his door and even a police car.
"Just how am I supposed to get inside?" she asked herself.
"Back away folks!" shouted a police officer near the house. "This family does Not want to be bothered! Leave!" he ordered.
Needless to say, no one moved.
Kagome tried to push her way through the crowd, and did so in a good five/ten minutes. She reached the front and took a dash towards the door.
"Miss!" shouted an officer, running over and blocking her path. "I'm sorry, they do not wish to be disturbed. You need to leave."
"I am not with the press!" replied Kagome in a somewhat angry voice. "I wouldn't dream of exploiting the horror of my friend's murder for the sake of my career! I'm not even out of high school yet!" she said.
"He was your friend?" asked the officer.
Kagome looked at him in the eye, and nodded.
The officer sighed. "I'm terribly sorry, miss." he said. "The boy's parents have requested that no one enter."
Kagome sighed. "Thats.. thats all right." she said. "I understand. If you speak with them, could you tell them that Kagome Higurashi stopped by?"
"Sure." the officer nodded.
Kagome nodded a thanks and turned around. She pushed her way back through the mob of reporters and made it back to the sidewalk.
She stopped and looked up at the sky. She couldn't believe... Houjo was dead. He was gone forever, never to come back. To make things more complicated and confusing, the one she loved was the one who took away his life.
As tears again began to flow, she dashed off towards a park and kneeled down in the grass subconsciously. She ran her fingers through her hair and messed it up furiously, crying wildly.
She remained in the park for an hour or so, before finally standing up and heading out. She stopped by a fountain and washed her face.
Kagome arrived home later on, and said nothing as she went up to her room. She had told Inuyasha not to come back for her just yet. She would return on her own, when she was ready. The two of them didn't tell Miroku or Sango what had happened either, and they didn't ever intend to do so.
With so much going through her mind, and so much to comprehend and accept, she couldn't take it anymore. Kagome passed out and slept on.
"Kagome?" came her mother's voice from outside her door in the morning.
Her eyes fluttered open. She looked at her clock and saw it was still kind of early. "Yes mom?" she asked.
The door opened and Mrs. Higurashi came in. "I kind of know what you've been going through, so I figured I would leave you alone.."
"Its ok, mom." replied her daughter. She sat up. "I'm sorry I slept all day yesterday.. and all night."
"It's all right." said Mrs. Higurashi. "I thought I'd let you know.. Houjo's mother called. She asked me to thank you for coming over yesterday, and to apologize that she couldn't see you. Everything's just been so hard on her."
"Oh." said Kagome, standing up and walking over. "Should I call her?"
"She said not too.. she's disconnected her phoneline, and has a temporary anonymous cell phone. She doesn't want to speak to the press, but she needs some sort of means of contact."
"Okay." said Kagome. "What about.. the.."
Mrs. Higurashi understood what she meant. "She told me that she would let you know. She doesn't know anything about it yet, as his ... death is still a mystery, you know."
Kagome felt a pang of guilt. "Yeah..." she said softly.
The two of them stood in silence for a minute or so. That was when Mrs. Higurashi made a slight movement.
"Would you like something to eat?" she asked. "I don't think you've really eaten anything lately..."
Kagome was about to decline, when her stomach rumbled. She grinned slightly. "I guess I am kind of hungry..."
Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "I'll go make some pancakes. Does that sound any good to you?" she asked.
Kagome nodded and also smiled. "Sounds great, mom." she said.
Her mother disappeared down the stairs, and shortly after Kagome followed. In about fifteen minutes, the food was done and the family of four ate in silence.
Four days later, Houjo was laid to rest in peace. The cemetary was closed off to all, except those invited. His death was still a mystery, and only two people knew what actually happened. And that was how it would stay.
Kagome went back for a brief visit in the Sengoku jidai, with pleads from Inuyasha to come to the funeral. Kagome wouldn't let him, as it would raise some suspicsions. There weren't exactly white haired, half demons with dog ears running around Tokyo.
It was a quiet ceremony; no one talked much. Sota was clutching his mother's hand tightly the entire time, while Houjo's mother was crying silently, being embraced by her husband.
After it was over, Kagome wandered off on her own, with no objection. She had told her mother she was going to be alone for a while, and there was no objection.
She walked over into the nearby woods and sat behind a tree, listening and thinking. About an hour or two passed, when she finally stood up.
Kagome looked around and saw that everyone had left, even his parents. She walked over slowly to the grave and stared at it.
She whispered the engraved words outloud and kneeled down in front of it. She put her hand lightly on the tombstone and started to cry again.
"Houjo..." she whispered. She could almost see his face smiling at her.
"I wanted ... to tell you the truth.." she said, closing her eyes. She folded her hands on her knees.
"Its my fault... I was foolish.. and you're dead now.." she said. "I just want you to know.. if you want to blame someone... blame me. If it wasn't for me.. you'd still be alive and well.. and happy. You were a great guy Houjo... I'm sorry that.. I killed you..."
A twig snapped. "Don't say that."
She opened her eyes and looked around. "Inuyasha.. " she whispered.
"Don't tell him lies." said Inuyasha, sitting down next to her cross legged.
Kagome bit her lip. This was supposed to be something to be kept secret. She didn't want Inuyasha to know she blamed herself.
"Don't tell him that you did it." said Inuyasha.
"But I did!"
"No!" snapped Inuyasha. He jumped up and slammed his hand on the tombstone, without breaking it. "Ya hear that, Houjo!" he shouted at the grave. "Don't blame Kagome for this! Don't listen to what she's saying! If your gonna wanna hate someone for this, hate me!" he said.
Meanwhile Kagome had stood up, and was trying to stop her beloved from doing what she was doing.
"You've got no reason to hate her, so don't!" shouted Inuyasha. "She'll always have a spot in her heart for you, don't you doubt it!!"
"Inuyasha..."
He sighed and looked back to her. "There." he said.
She tilted her head a bit in a questioning way.
"He knows." said Inuyasha, looking up. "Don't worry.. he understands everything."
Kagome smiled a bit. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know I didn't." he replied. "I knew you were gonna blame yourself for this, and I didn't want that to happen."
"Inuyasha."
"We should leave now." he said. "Let this guy have some peace, before someone else comes along."
Kagome nodded. She took Inuyasha by the hand and they walked off. Neither of them looking back.
"Thank you...Inuyasha." she whispered.
"Don't mention it..."
"Hey Inuyasha?"
"Hmm?"
"... I love you."
"Yeah. I know. I love you too."
With that, they continued walking off... until they disappeared from sight into the distance...
MD: annnnnd thats all for part one! part two shall be up very soon, as all i have to do is edit it and finish it up. it shouldn't take very long either... heh..
now, before i move on to the thanks, when this is over i want to start a Miroku/Sango fic kinda like this, based off a song. if any of you have any good songs that sound like their relationship, let me know please! i did find a song i want to write a fic to, but first i need to find people to write it about... anyways, review! for the next chapter/epilougue is the last. see ya soon!
reviewer thanks
The Random Queen: as always, awesome penname ^^ i believe i did email you... and yes! KIKYO IS DEAD! HIGH HO!
XxX-SuPeiNGo RuuKii-XxX: ^^ thanks
Hanyou-Girl25: thankies much thankies ^^
Queen of Blades: why thank you ^^ lol
Jurei: much much much much thanks! i always love reading your reviews.. as i think i've said many many times... ^^ i must agree.. dubbed voices can screw up the show, but cartoon network is the only place for me to see inuyasha so i must stick with the dubbed.. ::sigh:: thanks again
ArtemisMoon: thanks! heh, i'm kinda sad its over too.. almost over anyway... i liked writing it ^^
Kagome takes over the wor: heh thanks
Houseki: yes.. i wish she died in every fic as well .. ::sigh:: thanks
CynicalSpiritValea: heh.... i think i will try to kill her with a walrus at some point.. heh.. and yes.. ff.net can be annoying sometimes... grr .. anyways, thanks a lot
Neverwhere: Chaos Mode: reviewer of two of my stories.. thanks! and i say again, awesome penname.. gah! must stop repeating myself! ^^;
anyone i forget... I AM SORRY!! if your not listed in the replies, i say thank you here... ja for now.. until the final chapter epilougue thing! ^^