All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the
sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
Inuyasha Fanfic
WARNINGS: Ooc-ness abounds!
To Lose the One I LoveBy: Chiruken
Chapter 15
"You're wrong." She could feel tears burning her eyes. Oh Inuaysha…how alone you must feel! But not anymore…you have me now. "Tetsusaiga would be meaningless if you didn't have the heart to wield it." She reached up and gently cupped his cheek. "No matter what form you take…human, youkai, or hanyou…you will always be my Inuyasha." She rested her cheek against his chest and closed her eyes.
"Kagome…" Slowly, tentatively, he placed his arms around her, pulling her closer as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "You shouldn't say such things…" He whispered softly near her ear. "But I thank you for it." Turning his head a little he nuzzled against her. Drawing in a quick breath he squeezed his eyes shut tightly. "You make me want to be better than I am…" His arms tightened around her. "When I'm around you…I feel calm, focused…" Giving into temptation he gently smoothed his hand over her fragrant hair. "I don't feel so alone when I'm with you."
Her hands fisted in the material of his haori. "Inuyasha…" She breathed his name on a soft exhalation, feeling her heart soar with happiness. "I didn't want to leave!" She pulled back as she admitted the truth. "I secretly prayed that you'd stop me this time…that you wouldn't let me go." She smiled at the surprise evident in his golden gaze. "That's why I was at the bottom of the well…I just couldn't leave you like that."
He grinned and stepped back, grasping her arm to pull her with him as he slowly sat with his back against the well. Cradling her in his arms he felt at peace for the first time on too many years to count. "Kagome…when the Shikon no Tama has been restored…" He paused, feeling a blush working its way into his face. "I…" He swallowed and tried again. "I don't care if I have to go back with you to your world…I just want to be with you…always."
Kagome felt tears fill her eyes. "I-Inuyasha…you'd do that for me?" She pulled back a little to gaze into his eyes.
Ears drooping sadly he brushed his knuckles against her cheek, wiping away the tears that had spilled when she blinked. "I-I made you cry again."
She shook her head quickly and leaned into his touch. "Tears of happiness…" She whispered as she tried to smile through her tears. "But…you've seen my world. I-I don't think you'd be happy there…" She sighed softly and shrugged. "I couldn't do that to you. You should be free to run, Inuyasha…you couldn't do that in my world."
"Keh. D'you think I care about that?" He scowled and shook his head emphatically. "I'd learn, Kagome. I can change to fit into your world. I don't want you to be in danger anymore, Kagome. And that's what would happen if you stayed here."
"I don't want you to change!" She frowned and chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. "There has to be a way…there just has to be." Suddenly his head snapped up and he sniffed the air with a scowl. "What is it?" She asked anxiously.
"We're not alone." He stood abruptly and placed his hand on the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "Show yourself!"
A low mocking chuckle echoed through the clearing. "Isn't this touching?"
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome stood quickly and stared at the youkai lord with wide eyes.
"Stay back, Kagome!" Inuyasha drew the sword and assumed an alert and ready stance with the transformed blade. "Aniki-sama…" The purposefully slurred words emerged on a growl, making the usually respectful title sound like an insult.
"Inuyasha." The youkai lord of the Western lands addressed his younger half-brother with a cold look before turning his gaze on Kagome. "We meet again." He nodded slightly to her causing her to blush and Inuyasha to growl as he placed himself in front of her protectively. "So possessive." He smirked and waved his hand dismissively.
"Sesshoumaru…" Kagome stepped around the hanyou and leveled a direct stare at the inu youkai. "What do you want?"
"To satisfy my curiosity, of course." He tilted his head to the side and regarded them steadily. "What are your intentions regarding the Shikon no Tama, Inuyasha?"
Growling, he took a slow step forward, his hands tightening on the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "Why?"
"As I said…curiosity." Sesshoumaru turned his gaze to Kagome. "Have you given thought to my suggestion?"
She snorted in an unladylike way. "I don't remember hearing suggestions, Sesshoumaru. I only remember ultimatums and commands." Tossing her head she gave him a cool look. "I still don't understand what you have to gain by all this."
"He wants Tetsusaiga for himself, what else?" Inuyasha didn't feel comfortable with the conversation. Something didn't seem right to him. Why isn't he attackin'? What's he up to? The wind shifted and his keen sense of smell caught an odd scent from just behind the youkai lord. "Eh?" Relaxing his stance he sniffed at the breeze delicately. Human? What the--- "Oi. What's behind you, Sesshoumaru?"
Eyes narrowing dangerously he took a menacing step forward. "Direct your attention where it belongs, Inuyasha."
Her attention caught by Inuyasha's sudden shift in focus, Kagome stepped to the side and peered around his half-brother. Eyes widening in surprise she drew in a sharp breath. That's… Turning her startled gaze back to Sesshoumaru she searched his cold features for an explanation. It's the little girl I saw before! Ignoring the warning glare being directed at her she darted forward. "Rin-chan?" Smiling happily she skirted around the youkai and knelt beside the child and drew her into a hug. "I'm so glad you're still safe!"
"Kagome!" Inuyasha leaped forward and blocked his brother's sudden movement, surprised at the sudden change in his expression from coldly implacable to furious.
Looking back over her shoulder at the hanyou's shouted warning she gasped at the cold rage burning in Sesshoumaru's narrowed amber gaze. "A-ano…" She quickly released the child and pulled away, hastily moving behind Inuyasha's protective form once again.
"Rin." He addressed the little girl without looking at her.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Her cheerful voice was a startling contrast to his emotionless and refined tones.
"Go back to Jaken."
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!" She turned and skipped away, waving over her shoulder. "'Bye, Kagome-neesan!"
She waved back weakly before turning her gaze back to the imposing figure of the youkai lord. Smile brightly she clasped her hands behind her back and rocked back on her heels. "Rin-chan is so kawaii!"
He ignored her and turned to face Inuyasha directly. "Now, what are your intentions towards the Shikon no Tama?"
"Keh. That's none of your business!" Beneath his usual gruffness the hanyou was confused. He's the last guy I'd expect to want to protect a human… Frowning thoughtfully he wondered just what had happened to change Sesshoumaru's attitude.
"I've made it my business." Narrowing his eyes on Kagome he directed his next words to her. "Do you know what will happen to you once the Shikon no Tama is complete?"
"Eh?" Blinking in surprise she shook her head slowly. "I never really thought about it…" Frowning thoughtfully she tilted her head to the side. "What do you know, Sesshoumaru?"
"Don't believe anythin' he says, Kagome. He's full of tricks and lies."
"You will be trapped here once it is complete, unable to return to your world."
"And destroyin' it will change this how?" Inuyasha slowly lowered Tetsusaiga, concerned despite his distrust in his elder brother's words.
"It won't. Either way she will be unable to leave through the Bone Eater's Well." Focusing on Kagome again he leveled an intent look at her. "It is entirely up to you how you will shape your future. Will you devote your life to guarding the Shikon no Tama that youkai and human alike lust after? Will you follow in the steps of the miko, Kikyo?" He paused and glanced at the hanyou at his furious growl. "Or will you forge your own destiny by destroying that which has already ruined countless lives? It is, after all, ultimately your decision." He waited for a moment before returning his gaze back to the young woman standing directly behind Inuyasha. "So what will it be, Kagome? A life of servitude? Or a life of freedom? Decide quickly. Time grows short." He turned on his heel and strode away, leaving stunned silence in the clearing behind him.
~~*~~
**To Be Continued…**
Definitions:
Youkai: Demon
Hanyou: Half human, half youkai
Haori: Short jacket worn over kimono
Aniki-sama: My honored elder brother (though if broken down sounds like "ani kisama" elder brother, you bastard)
Inu: Dog
Oi: Hey
-Chan: "little" or "cute"; a diminutive name suffix used to address children, female relative and close friends; also used as an endearment
Ano: Um…
-Sama: Very respectful form of address; equivalent to Sir, Lady, Lord, etc.
Neesan: Quite polite, and can have the meaning of "miss" when used for young women.
Kawaii: Cute
Miko: Priestess
Author's Notes:
It's odd how a story seems to take so long to develop, ne? One chapter opens new doors and new possibilities creating an intricate web of plots and subplots. This story is no different and I'm finding that it's taking a curve away from the original idea that created the story in the first place. As the tale continues I find that the original idea has become lost within the tangled web of sub plots so…it becomes something different. As I write a chapter new ideas come to me and I find that I never know quite what will happen next. I find it fascinating…and a little disturbing. I don't know if I'm the only writer to experience this strange phenomenon or if it's something unique to me. **shrugs** Well, at any rate, I'm hoping to get back on track soon…if I can even remember where I wanted to go originally. **grins**
I hope that everyone is enjoying the developments as much as I am!
^_^x
Chiruken