**~~ OK, I wish I could make this fic all happy wit InuYasha and Kagome
together and Kikyo dead, BUT I CAN'T!!!!! Dats why my title is called the
return of KIKYO, the main problem in this story is the love triangle
between InuYasha's love for Kikyo and Kagome....and who he's gunu
choose!!!!! But if ya guys wan, I'll KINDA get rid of her for part three of
the ...MEBE, but my plot isn't set for part three....BUT I WILL MAKE KIKYO
GONE AT THE END N MAKE IY AND KAGOME HAPPY!!!! Vote: Who wants Kikyo to die
a horrible death, or a sad death, or make her die in peace??????? I think
it should be a sad or peaceful death...~~**
============= Chapter Forty-Three =============
-------* Fate is something you can choose *---------
"Come quick!" a boy whispered to his friend, "Look!" he said as they hid behind a tree. "I told you it was true!"
The girl looked at where her friend was pointing to.
"Her? She doesn't look like a youkai to me..." the girl whispered back.
They stared at the woman who was standing with her back turned to them, standing on the hill with her silky black hair blowing in the wind. Standing under the orange sky, as the sun slowly started to sink beneath the land.
"Mama told me that she was a dead priestess who's dead body roams the land, living on the dead souls" the boy whispered.
"Why?" she asked.
"Mama told me it was because the person she loved still lives on land and had betrayed her 50 years ago...so she wont rest until has revenge on him"
The girl gasped, "so sad....."
"I don't think so" the boy muttered bitterly, "she took the soul of Papa. She deserves this....she's a monster"
"Oh yah, now I remember, someone else told me that she was sad...I heard she was nice though....maybe she isn't who you think she is" the girl said in pity.
"No....she's just a miko living on hatred alone....she's nothing but a monster"
Kikyo walked away, pretending she hadn't heard anything...But she had, she had heard everything.
~Am I.....a monster.....~ Kikyo sadly thought.
Kikyo stood in front of the frozen river, she looked down at her reflection in the ice,
~Has my heart become so frozen.....from hate.....is hatred all that's in me....but then why do I feel love for InuYasha....or has hatred now become mixed with my love for him...~
Kikyo stepped on the frozen river as the cracking of the ice could be heard, ~I wish my dead soul would rest.....I wish I would not have to live like this, rejected from this world. Living each minuet in agony....I wish my soul would just be put to rest if I am not able to live on this earth as a normal human. But I will never be able to leave this cursed earth until my soul is at rest......~
~If I try to kill myself, I will not die, for a dead person cannot die again. As long as I have dead souls to feed me, I cannot die.....~
Kikyo looked at the cracks forming under her, as the cold water splashed out of the cracks.
~I wonder....what InuYasha is doing right now.....what he is thinking.....~
"Kikyo....I still care for you, I'll care for you forever.....and I haven't lived a day when I forgot about you. You're imprinted on my heart. I'll never let you go again!" InuYasha's voice echoed in her mind.
Kikyo shut her eyes tightly, ~Is it true InuYasha...what you told me.....is it true........Are you thinking about me right now?~
*****************************
InuYasha sat on the cliff, looking out at the sundown. The orange sunlight touching his skin.
InuYasha lay back, ~Kagome......she's in love with me?~
Different images and voices of Kagome flashed through his mind....
"Kagome......."
"You'll overcome your problems, you'll chose the right path........and I'll help you, and stay by you..... even though it'll hurt me" Kagome's voice echoed warmly through his mind, he could still feel the warmth of her hands that had held his.
~If only.......it were that easy to stay by me......I wish you could. But it wont be easy, but no matter what, now I know that you'll even go through a whole ton of pain....to be with me. But that's what I don't want, for you to get hurt cuz of me.......But Kagome......no matter how painful it is, you have to remember that I.....love Kikyo as well~
He felt someone sitting next to him, InuYasha sat up and saw Kagome. He felt his heart beating fast again.
She turned and smiled warmly at him, "Hi"
".......Hi"
"It's cold, you should go back in. Kaede said that you weren't hurt that bad....combing the other wounds you had from last time"
"Oh....." InuYasha looked away, "I want you to stay and all.......but each time I think of this, I feel too selfish to ask you to stay. You're sacrificing too much"
"I asked to stay, so it's only my problem" Kagome pointed out.
"I....don't want to be the one who's gunu hurt you. Kagome, it'll be better if you just leave and leave the pain. You know......that I have to chose Kikyo no matter what......I owe her, and I'm not the kind of person who doesn't pay their debt" InuYasha muttered.
"Do you.....only chose her....Cuz you owe her...." Kagome asked.
InuYasha looked away, "don't ask me that.......it's better that I just believe what I believe in now.....change will only hurt Kikyo more. She doesn't want me to follow her just cuz I owe her"
"But.....InuYasha....then you'd be the one sacrificing so much......if it was just because you owed her"
"It's my turn to sacrifice something.......as she had" InuYasha muttered.
"Huh...." he felt Kagome lean her head against his shoulders, and resting her hand on his arms.
Kagome closed her eyes, "I won't leave you here to suffer alone in decisions. If you have to suffer, I'll be glad to suffer along with you. InuYasha.....your words wont be able to change my mind"
InuYasha looked out at the sundown, and held Kagome's warm hands.
~I want to believe that I could be with you.....No, what am I thinking.....Kikyo's the one I want to be with.......Why can't my heart just chose Kikyo and end this whole thing......~
"........So many hearts rely on me......" InuYasha muttered under his breath so that Kagome would not hear, but she did.
~If I chose Kikyo, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kilala and so many others will be hurt. If I chose Kagome, Kikyo......I just don't want to hurt Kikyo again. Whenever I see her sad, dark and lonely face.......a face that I had created.......I can't bear to see any more pain......~
Kagome felt her heart hurting, ~I cause so much pain for InuYasha..... He wants to choose Kikyo.....but he can't because of his feelings for me. I mean......Kikyo deserves his love more than I.....What have I done to deserve it~
"InuYasha....If you love Kikyo more than me.....why can't you just choose her.......?" Kagome asked.
"I....don't know" InuYasha replied, ~Because....now I don't know who I love more.......who I would rather have hurt......who I would rather leave.......~
"If I cause you so much pain......InuYasha, I will leave"
"No....... if you're leaving for me, don't. But if you're leaving away from pain, then go.......But I don't want you to leave"
Kagome smiled, "then I'll stay"
"I'm sorry....." he said.
"Why?"
"For wanting you to stay......"
"No.......I'm glad you want me to stay"
InuYasha looked down at his hands that was holding hers, that never wanted to let go.
*****Flashback*****
InuYasha got out of the boat, and stood back for Kikyo to step out. She stepped out, but stumbled on the deck.
InuYasha caught Kikyo before she fell, he looked into her eyes, and dropped the rowing stick and held Kikyo tightly in his arms.
They held each other under the sunset.......
*****End of Flashback*****
~Why is it so hard to chose.........~
~But then isn't it obviously Kikyo you love more? Why don't you just stop hurting so much people and just chose Kikyo........But.....you have to remember that you'll never have the real Kikyo back, half of her is gone forever, only her corpse remains. But did you even truly love her from the start......~ A voice asked him.
~This is why......it's so hard to choose~
~Kagome is the one who is always with you, the one who doesn't even hate you after you tried to betray you......why is it so hard to choose?~ the voice asked again.
Kikyo's pale, sleepless, sad, agonized, and sad face flashed through his mind, "InuYasha........I thought you loved me"
~But isn't Kikyo the one he's loved for 50 years? He just met Kagome. After all that Kikyo has done for InuYasha, how could he choose Kagome~ another voice asked.
~Love? Can love that easily hate......then I no longer know what love is, if that is what you call love~
InuYasha slightly shook his head, to get rid of the thoughts, but they wouldn't leave.
"InuYasha.....don't worry so much......whatever you chose.....me and everyone else wont hate you......be free" Kagome whispered.
".....Wakkata......" InuYasha whispered, "I never really had anyone 'there' for me.....to care for me and all that. I didn't really have anything to leave behind here......I guess that's one of the reasons I don't wanna leave with Kikyo yet......"
Kagome smiled, "Well, you have us to leave behind, so use the time as wisely as you can while it lasts......"
~What if I want to last forever......~ InuYasha thought.
*****************************
Three days had passed......
Miroku lazily sat against the wall, watching Sango as she cleaned up the hut.
"Stupid Miroku, sitting there lazily while I do all the cleaning" Sango muttered under her breath. "Who would want a husband like that"
~Man....she'd make a great wife~ Miroku thought with his eyes closed, ~Uh oh, I always have this strange sense when danger is around.......in other words, when Sango is glaring at me~
Miroku opened his eyes to see his staff flying towards him,
"Take that you lazy monk!" Sango said in annoyance.
"WHAT?! Do you expect me to clean up?"
"YES!"
"Men do not clean up, it is a women's job to do such thing. We men go support the family" Miroku pointed out.
Sango walked over to Miroku and pulled his ears, her face dark with a shadow.
"First of all What...family. I do not see any family around here. WE are a group of people out in search of the jewel shards, thus you "so called" theory of who should clean doesn't apply. AND second of all, if your theory did apply, and you are a man, I don't think you AT ALL support the FAMILLY! And third of all, YOU TALK AS IF I'M YOUR WIFE......!!!!"
"Would you like to be?"
~Maybe she won't be THAT good of a wife.....~
"This ISN'T funny!!" Sango hissed.
"I'm serious!"
Sango backed away, his face really did look serious. "Miroku.....you alright?"
"Wha....ya.....why?"
"You look.....serious" Sango whispered, "are you ok?"
Miroku sweat dropped, "Why is it so abnormal of me to be serious"
"You're only serious when it comes to Youkais and stuff.....not around women" Sango pointed out.
"You're......different" Miroku said.
Sango blushed, "I don't want you to mess around with me. If you're lying, just stop it. It's not funny"
Miroku stood up and held her hands, "I'm serious"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaa!" Sango cried as she jumped back, ~This is really freaking me out!!!! I never dreamed this day would come, and when it finally does, it feels all wrong!!!!!~
Miroku sighed, "why is it so hard to just get a kiss from you. Man you're really hard to get....." He muttered.
"Are you....serious? About the.....asking me to be your wife and all" Sango asked.
Miroku looked at them, his face seemed to be turning red. He suddenly burst into laughter,
"I was just kidding around with you!!! HAHA, you actually believed me?! You? My wife? I don't think I'll ever get one!"
Sango's heart felt as if she had thrown it to Miroku to gently catch and that he would cherish and protect, but he had dropped it.
Sango turned around, "Baka" she hissed as she walked out of the hut.
Miroku's expression quickly changed as he frowned, ~What did I do?~
Kagome and InuYasha stood watching at the door. Kagome stomped up and furiously shook Miroku by the collar of his shirt,
"BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA!!!!! WHY THE HELL DID YOU MAKE FUN OF HER LIKE THAT?!!!!!" Kagome yelled.
"WHAT DID I DO?!!!!!"
"You know that's it's REALLY bad to joke around with one's feelings!!! And YOU should know it! You're an expert when it comes to girls, aren't you?!! Why?!"
"I meant all that I said...except the wife part" Miroku muttered.
"BAKA!"
"I really don't see the big deal" InuYasha muttered, "he just teased her a bit, she'll get over it. Though she might feel a little humiliated"
"You Don't GET IT! DO YOU! JEEZ! You males are so...out of there when it comes to emotion!!!!! LOVE" Kagome yelled.
"Where did love come from" InuYasha muttered.
"InuYasha....." Kagome said, her face covered in a dark shadow.
"What?"
"........sit"
BAM!!!!!
"Miroku.....Sango.......really likes you......." Kagome said, "and, pretend I never told you that. I would have told you if I didn't know that you liked her as well"
Miroku went still, "Sango........"
~Then.........I must have really hurt her........I just........never thought she would have had any feelings for me as I did. So I thought that it wouldn't matter~
Miroku ran out after Sango, and found her standing under a tree.
"Sango....."
"What is it Houshi-sama" Sango asked coldly.
"Um.....gomen"
Silence.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"I really did mean....well most of it, what I said.....I do think differently of you compared to others......I'm really sorry" Miroku said.
"A trap...." Sango muttered, ~He's trying to lure me in so that he could laugh at my vulnerable mistake again~
"No! I swear it's not!!!! I really do.......like you"
Sango found it too hard to believe, "I'm scared to believe you Houshi-sama"
"Please......just this once.....believe me"
Sango turned around, "are.......you.....telling me the truth?"
Miroku nodded, ~don't ask for a kiss, don't touch her in any inappropriate ways or she wont believe you~ Miroku recited in his head.
They just stood there aquardly. Sango looked up after a long moment of silence, looking strangely up at Miroku.
~Isn't he going to hug me or something?~ Sango thought.
"Um......."
"Sorry, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. If I kiss you, you might think I was joking, if I hug you, I might touch the wrong place habitually" he murmured.
Sango sweat dropped, ~Great......perfect, the day we confess our feelings.......this......Oi, he must have never confessed before. We most be the strangest couple alive~
Suddenly she felt herself held tightly in his arms, her heart thumped fast.
"Do you.....feel that way for me as well" he asked quietly.
".....H-H-Hai"
"Wakkata"
*****************************
Kagome and InuYasha sat down together on the steps outside of the hut, looking at the dark figures of Sango and Miroku embracing each other.
Kagome sighed and rested her chin on her knees, "I knew it" she whispered.
"Knew what?" InuYasha muttered, still annoyed with Kagome for sitting him.
"They're in love"
"Keh! Everyone's in love through your eyes"
Kagome smiled, "If only that were true.......I see too much hatred"
"Are your wounds better?" Kagome asked.
"Huh....yah. Kaede said it was all healed"
"Finally" Kagome muttered.
InuYasha looked on at the orange sky, not yet night.
"Can I see the Shikon jewel we have" InuYasha asked.
Kagome took it out of her pocket and gave it to InuYasha. He sweat dropped,
"Are you serious......THIS is all we have?!!!!! This..this pebble?!"
"Yup" Kagome answered, "Hey....didn't......you have the shikon fragments as well?"
*****Flashback*****
"If you dare strike at me, I shall kill Kagome....." Naraku said, as he lifted his hands into the air and stretched his fingers open, far in front of Kagome were three daggers floating in the air. Naraku closed his hands as the daggers disappeared. "I shall make this pierce into her body"
InuYasha quickly took his hands away from his sword. "What do you want with her!"
" I shall give you all of this Shikon shard" Naraku said, holding up a necklace that had a big fragment of the shard hanging from it. "If you can give Kagome over to me, and make her hate you. She has great power.....but no permanent darkness in her. I cannot control her if she has none. Do we have a deal?"
"Keh....are you that stupid that you thought I would give up that easily? I won't give Kagome up to you for the whole shikon jewel!" InuYasha said in a bitter cold voice.
"I see...." Naraku said in a pleased voice. "Then hand over the ones you already have on you" Naraku said.
"Keh, and why should I?!"
"Or else.....her life will be mine" Naraku replied.
InuYasha looked down at the shards glittering in his palm. He through it towards Naraku as it fell onto the thick snow. The snow started to fall very heavily, as the hail cut through InuYasha's cheeks.
*****End of Flashback*****
"Naraku has it" InuYasha muttered.
"Naraku? How?"
" That- that day.....when I thought you had died....Naraku's trap"
"You.....gave it to him.....for me?" Kagome asked, wondering, hoping that it was the answer.
"........Ya"
Kagome smiled and held his arms, "wakkata"
InuYasha coldly gazed out at the sky, ~It's not as it seems......Kagome. don't act as if I saved you or anything.....cuz I didn't. You died, because of my hesitation between you and Kikyo~
~I know.....that in Naraku's trap, I had died. I'm afraid to ask why, and I know you wont want to answer, I know it'll hurt you. I can feel it. So I wont ask. Maybe it'll be best unknown~ Kagome thought.
InuYasha looked down at the Shikon jewel glimmering in his palms, ~Naraku has almost three fourth of the shikon no Tama.....only a quarter or more is left to find. We have a bit, but it's not even considered.......The Shard is almost restored.........in the wrong hands~
"I can feel it, the end is nearing. The shikon jewel will soon be restored. Naraku is getting stronger, but what will you do after everything is over, that is, if you are still alive then. Will you use the Shikon Jewel if you possess it, to become a full Youkai. Will you run to me at the end, or the other girl. You do not have forever to decide" Kikyo's voice echoed in his mind.
~I'm running out of time~ InuYasha thought, ~But I cant choose yet~
Kagome looked up and saw so much pain and misery. ~ I wish I could help......but I can't do anything~
InuYasha sighed, "we're gunu have to leave this hut. We have to go on our journey. Miroku will probably get us a hut with his usual ways"
Kagome nodded.
**********************************
Everyone sweat dropped as they looked at the place Miroku had got for them.
Miroku was the only one smiling, "This shall be entertaining. The owner of this entertainment hut, owes me quite a bit from long ago for curing three possessed maidens that worked for him. He'll surely let us stay here. It's very big"
"We're gunu be staying at a place where we'll be entertained by.......your so called young maidens?!!!!" InuYasha yelled.
Miroku happily nodded. Then saw Sango fuming red in anger, and nervously smiled at her.
They entered the hut to see an young man that was very chubby running towards them.
"How may I...OH Miroku! My DEAR DEAR friend!!!!! How may I help you?!!!!"
"My friends and I are very tired and we need a place to stay for the night" Miroku said.
"OG COURSE!"
"Thank you"
"my ladies will entertain you for the time! They'll dance and sing for you! Just rest and watch, they are the finest ladies around here!!!!" the young man said.
He caught a glimpse of Kagome and Sango,
"And a....maybe I'll talk with you for a while Miroku old buddy, and maybe you can introduce me to some of your fine young ladies here"
InuYasha growled as he protectively stepped in front of Sango and Kagome.
They walked into the entertaining room to see two chubby ladies.
"So.....where are all your entertainers?" Miroku asked.
"Huh? OH! They're them!" the man said, pointing at the two ladies, "the rest of them had left early today"
Miroku stared, "th..them?!!!!"
The two ladies giggled and walked towards InuYasha and Miroku.
"Konichewa" the giggled.
"My name is Tsubaki" one girl whispered to InuYasha.
"My name is Tomo" the other girl whispered to Miroku.
"I never saw a Youkai before!" Tsubaki told InuYasha as she touched his ears, InuYasha just stood there, frozen in horror. Not knowing why that girl was talking like that with him.
"Wow" Tsubaki giggled, "it's real!"
"DUH!" Kagome yelled, "they look like friggin fat pigs powdered in white" Kagome hissed at Sango.
Sango grinded her teeth, "who do those fat pigs think they are"
Tomo was dancing close in front of Miroku, waving her fan in the air.
"What is your name?" Tsubaki asked, fluttering her eyes, ~he looks so strong. If I had him as a husband, I wouldn't have to worry about anything. And he looked strong and gorgeous as well~
".......Me?!"
"Yes you silly!"
"Um...." InuYasha backed away from her face that was near his, InuYasha coughed, asking for help from someone. Kagome just glared at him.
"I- InuYasha" InuYasha muttered, getting a little annoyed.
"Oh! MY! I have heard much about you!!! The famous InuYasha! The demon set against his own species! And also I heard of your tragic love life with the beautiful miko!!!" she giggled as she started to dance in a screechy voice for him.
"Will you get the hell away from me!!!" InuYasha yelled, getting a little freaked.
"Oh ho!" Tsubaki giggled, "I love my men rough"
InuYasha ran to Kagome and stood behind her.
"What the HELL is that bitch talking to me about?!!!!!!!" InuYasha asked.
"It's called, she likes you and is flirting with you" Kagome muttered, her face covered in a shadow.
"Let's get out of here!" InuYasha whispered.
"No, we have no where else to go"
"HELP!" InuYasha hissed at Kagome.
Tsubaki came dancing back to InuYasha, glaring at Kagome.
"Who is she?" Tsubaki asked, looking at Kagome.
~She acts as if she owns InuYasha~ Kagome thought
"He's MINE!!!!!" Kagome yelled.
"Ooooo, I love hard to get" she giggled, "I look more beautiful, so you have better watch out! And.....watch him leave your room and come to mine!! It's right next to the room you and your woman and friends are staying in"
"BAKA!!!!!!!!!!" Kagome yelled, throttling Tsubaki, "He's mine! But NOT in that way!!!!!!!! YOU PERVERT!!!!"
InuYasha backed away from Kagome, practically being able to feel the heat of her anger.
"The better!" Tsubaki giggled.
"SHUT UP WIT YOUR GIGGLES!" Kagome yelled.
On the other side of the room was Miroku being pulled apart by Sango and Tomo.
"Leave him alone!!!" Sango yelled.
"You!" Tomo screamed.
"Dear God lady, you don't have to scream!" Sango yelled back.
It had now become night, the stars filling the silky night sky.
A shadow lurked around the hut, catching the scent of the Shikon shards. The white wolf growled hungrily as saliva drooled down it's sharp fangs.
"I need...the shards" it growled. The wolf saw a woman holding a jar of water walking down the road from a little distance. "Must change form....."
It swiftly sped up to the woman who was humming.
The woman could feel a cold breeze behind her, she slowly turned around and all she saw was teeth, and splashes of blood. She gave a quick scream, then it faded quickly away.
InuYasha ran out of the door,
"Did you hear that?!" InuYasha asked.
Miroku frowned, "yes, I heard a scream of a young maiden"
Everyone stopped arguing. The two lady entertainers started to scream in horror.
"It was probably nothing" the young man said, smiling as he looked at Kagome and Sango.
"Will you quit looking at them?" InuYasha growled.
"O? I was not looking at them!"
"Yes you were"
"No"
"YES, SO QUIT IT!!!!!"
InuYasha took out his Tetsusaiga and looked outside again.
"Oh it's nothing, we hear it all the time! People screaming and all. Quite natural here. Many couples argue a lot around ere.......yup" the man said.
InuYasha walked up to the man, "that is the most fucked reason I've ever heard"
"Wow, my InuYasha!" Tsubaki said admiringly.
InuYasha sweat dropped.
~I get so jealous easily.....This isn't how I want to be~ Kagome sadly thought, "I'm going out to cool off" Kagome sighed, as she walked off.
"Kagome! Wait!" InuYasha cried, ~please don't leave me behind with these mad ladies!!!!!!!~
~Kagome.......why do you look so sad?~
"No, no, no, no, no" Tsubaki said holding him tightly, "stay here with me!"
InuYasha pushed away from Tsubaki and ran after Kagome. Tsubaki ran after InuYasha, but ran very slow........for obvious reasons.
~Even a second without you is unbearable~ InuYasha thought, ~How will I be able to bear it when I leave you forever~
"Kagome......" InuYasha quietly called, looking at Kagome who was standing alone in the middle of the forest.
"I needed to cool off" Kagome replied.
InuYasha walked closer up to Kagome.
Tsubaki watched behind a tree in curiosity, ~He looks so handsome under the moon light.....~
InuYasha stood right in front of Kagome.
Kagome gasped when she felt him holding her tightly in his arms.
"InuYasha? What's up?" Kagome asked.
"You told me to use my time wisely......and spending it with you.....would be the wisest" InuYasha whispered.
Kagome placed her hands on his arms that were wrapped around her.
~I wish we could be like this forever.....~ Kagome thought.
Tsubaki glared at Kagome. "I've had enough of this...." she hissed, as she back away, "You'll see.....I'll have my revenge. Just when I start feeling something for someone, you take him away. ERG! If I get rid of you......then.....he's mine"
"Kagome......I wish I didn't have to hurt anyone" InuYasha whispered.
"I know"
Suddenly InuYasha backed away, Kagome looked at him in question.
He was looking at the bushes.
~I sense something......~
A woman walked out, her eyes seeming vacant.
"Miss, would you help me find the way to the river where I can bathe this wound on my neck?" the woman asked, she had blood dripping down her neck.
"Sure......" Kagome muttered as she walked towards the woman. InuYasha held her back,
"Wait.......she's freaking me out.....something about her......this aurora" InuYasha muttered.
"Don't worry, she's just someone who's hurt. I have to go help"
"I'll come along"
"No! She has to BATHE her wound, it wouldn't be decent for you to come along" Kagome scolded.
"Give me the Shikon jewel" InuYasha muttered, but Kagome was already gone. ~Kagome wouldn't get hurt if she didn't have it with her, if that was a Youkai. But........maybe it's not~
Tsubaki looked in curiosity, ~Isn't that Kaya? She's lived here for so long, how could she forget where the river is?~
**~~ HI! Did ya guys like this chapter?! Eh heh, obviously by reading this chapter you'll know that action is coming in the next chapter ^^ Keep reading n reviewing plzzzzzzzzz ~~**
============= Chapter Forty-Three =============
-------* Fate is something you can choose *---------
"Come quick!" a boy whispered to his friend, "Look!" he said as they hid behind a tree. "I told you it was true!"
The girl looked at where her friend was pointing to.
"Her? She doesn't look like a youkai to me..." the girl whispered back.
They stared at the woman who was standing with her back turned to them, standing on the hill with her silky black hair blowing in the wind. Standing under the orange sky, as the sun slowly started to sink beneath the land.
"Mama told me that she was a dead priestess who's dead body roams the land, living on the dead souls" the boy whispered.
"Why?" she asked.
"Mama told me it was because the person she loved still lives on land and had betrayed her 50 years ago...so she wont rest until has revenge on him"
The girl gasped, "so sad....."
"I don't think so" the boy muttered bitterly, "she took the soul of Papa. She deserves this....she's a monster"
"Oh yah, now I remember, someone else told me that she was sad...I heard she was nice though....maybe she isn't who you think she is" the girl said in pity.
"No....she's just a miko living on hatred alone....she's nothing but a monster"
Kikyo walked away, pretending she hadn't heard anything...But she had, she had heard everything.
~Am I.....a monster.....~ Kikyo sadly thought.
Kikyo stood in front of the frozen river, she looked down at her reflection in the ice,
~Has my heart become so frozen.....from hate.....is hatred all that's in me....but then why do I feel love for InuYasha....or has hatred now become mixed with my love for him...~
Kikyo stepped on the frozen river as the cracking of the ice could be heard, ~I wish my dead soul would rest.....I wish I would not have to live like this, rejected from this world. Living each minuet in agony....I wish my soul would just be put to rest if I am not able to live on this earth as a normal human. But I will never be able to leave this cursed earth until my soul is at rest......~
~If I try to kill myself, I will not die, for a dead person cannot die again. As long as I have dead souls to feed me, I cannot die.....~
Kikyo looked at the cracks forming under her, as the cold water splashed out of the cracks.
~I wonder....what InuYasha is doing right now.....what he is thinking.....~
"Kikyo....I still care for you, I'll care for you forever.....and I haven't lived a day when I forgot about you. You're imprinted on my heart. I'll never let you go again!" InuYasha's voice echoed in her mind.
Kikyo shut her eyes tightly, ~Is it true InuYasha...what you told me.....is it true........Are you thinking about me right now?~
*****************************
InuYasha sat on the cliff, looking out at the sundown. The orange sunlight touching his skin.
InuYasha lay back, ~Kagome......she's in love with me?~
Different images and voices of Kagome flashed through his mind....
"Kagome......."
"You'll overcome your problems, you'll chose the right path........and I'll help you, and stay by you..... even though it'll hurt me" Kagome's voice echoed warmly through his mind, he could still feel the warmth of her hands that had held his.
~If only.......it were that easy to stay by me......I wish you could. But it wont be easy, but no matter what, now I know that you'll even go through a whole ton of pain....to be with me. But that's what I don't want, for you to get hurt cuz of me.......But Kagome......no matter how painful it is, you have to remember that I.....love Kikyo as well~
He felt someone sitting next to him, InuYasha sat up and saw Kagome. He felt his heart beating fast again.
She turned and smiled warmly at him, "Hi"
".......Hi"
"It's cold, you should go back in. Kaede said that you weren't hurt that bad....combing the other wounds you had from last time"
"Oh....." InuYasha looked away, "I want you to stay and all.......but each time I think of this, I feel too selfish to ask you to stay. You're sacrificing too much"
"I asked to stay, so it's only my problem" Kagome pointed out.
"I....don't want to be the one who's gunu hurt you. Kagome, it'll be better if you just leave and leave the pain. You know......that I have to chose Kikyo no matter what......I owe her, and I'm not the kind of person who doesn't pay their debt" InuYasha muttered.
"Do you.....only chose her....Cuz you owe her...." Kagome asked.
InuYasha looked away, "don't ask me that.......it's better that I just believe what I believe in now.....change will only hurt Kikyo more. She doesn't want me to follow her just cuz I owe her"
"But.....InuYasha....then you'd be the one sacrificing so much......if it was just because you owed her"
"It's my turn to sacrifice something.......as she had" InuYasha muttered.
"Huh...." he felt Kagome lean her head against his shoulders, and resting her hand on his arms.
Kagome closed her eyes, "I won't leave you here to suffer alone in decisions. If you have to suffer, I'll be glad to suffer along with you. InuYasha.....your words wont be able to change my mind"
InuYasha looked out at the sundown, and held Kagome's warm hands.
~I want to believe that I could be with you.....No, what am I thinking.....Kikyo's the one I want to be with.......Why can't my heart just chose Kikyo and end this whole thing......~
"........So many hearts rely on me......" InuYasha muttered under his breath so that Kagome would not hear, but she did.
~If I chose Kikyo, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kilala and so many others will be hurt. If I chose Kagome, Kikyo......I just don't want to hurt Kikyo again. Whenever I see her sad, dark and lonely face.......a face that I had created.......I can't bear to see any more pain......~
Kagome felt her heart hurting, ~I cause so much pain for InuYasha..... He wants to choose Kikyo.....but he can't because of his feelings for me. I mean......Kikyo deserves his love more than I.....What have I done to deserve it~
"InuYasha....If you love Kikyo more than me.....why can't you just choose her.......?" Kagome asked.
"I....don't know" InuYasha replied, ~Because....now I don't know who I love more.......who I would rather have hurt......who I would rather leave.......~
"If I cause you so much pain......InuYasha, I will leave"
"No....... if you're leaving for me, don't. But if you're leaving away from pain, then go.......But I don't want you to leave"
Kagome smiled, "then I'll stay"
"I'm sorry....." he said.
"Why?"
"For wanting you to stay......"
"No.......I'm glad you want me to stay"
InuYasha looked down at his hands that was holding hers, that never wanted to let go.
*****Flashback*****
InuYasha got out of the boat, and stood back for Kikyo to step out. She stepped out, but stumbled on the deck.
InuYasha caught Kikyo before she fell, he looked into her eyes, and dropped the rowing stick and held Kikyo tightly in his arms.
They held each other under the sunset.......
*****End of Flashback*****
~Why is it so hard to chose.........~
~But then isn't it obviously Kikyo you love more? Why don't you just stop hurting so much people and just chose Kikyo........But.....you have to remember that you'll never have the real Kikyo back, half of her is gone forever, only her corpse remains. But did you even truly love her from the start......~ A voice asked him.
~This is why......it's so hard to choose~
~Kagome is the one who is always with you, the one who doesn't even hate you after you tried to betray you......why is it so hard to choose?~ the voice asked again.
Kikyo's pale, sleepless, sad, agonized, and sad face flashed through his mind, "InuYasha........I thought you loved me"
~But isn't Kikyo the one he's loved for 50 years? He just met Kagome. After all that Kikyo has done for InuYasha, how could he choose Kagome~ another voice asked.
~Love? Can love that easily hate......then I no longer know what love is, if that is what you call love~
InuYasha slightly shook his head, to get rid of the thoughts, but they wouldn't leave.
"InuYasha.....don't worry so much......whatever you chose.....me and everyone else wont hate you......be free" Kagome whispered.
".....Wakkata......" InuYasha whispered, "I never really had anyone 'there' for me.....to care for me and all that. I didn't really have anything to leave behind here......I guess that's one of the reasons I don't wanna leave with Kikyo yet......"
Kagome smiled, "Well, you have us to leave behind, so use the time as wisely as you can while it lasts......"
~What if I want to last forever......~ InuYasha thought.
*****************************
Three days had passed......
Miroku lazily sat against the wall, watching Sango as she cleaned up the hut.
"Stupid Miroku, sitting there lazily while I do all the cleaning" Sango muttered under her breath. "Who would want a husband like that"
~Man....she'd make a great wife~ Miroku thought with his eyes closed, ~Uh oh, I always have this strange sense when danger is around.......in other words, when Sango is glaring at me~
Miroku opened his eyes to see his staff flying towards him,
"Take that you lazy monk!" Sango said in annoyance.
"WHAT?! Do you expect me to clean up?"
"YES!"
"Men do not clean up, it is a women's job to do such thing. We men go support the family" Miroku pointed out.
Sango walked over to Miroku and pulled his ears, her face dark with a shadow.
"First of all What...family. I do not see any family around here. WE are a group of people out in search of the jewel shards, thus you "so called" theory of who should clean doesn't apply. AND second of all, if your theory did apply, and you are a man, I don't think you AT ALL support the FAMILLY! And third of all, YOU TALK AS IF I'M YOUR WIFE......!!!!"
"Would you like to be?"
~Maybe she won't be THAT good of a wife.....~
"This ISN'T funny!!" Sango hissed.
"I'm serious!"
Sango backed away, his face really did look serious. "Miroku.....you alright?"
"Wha....ya.....why?"
"You look.....serious" Sango whispered, "are you ok?"
Miroku sweat dropped, "Why is it so abnormal of me to be serious"
"You're only serious when it comes to Youkais and stuff.....not around women" Sango pointed out.
"You're......different" Miroku said.
Sango blushed, "I don't want you to mess around with me. If you're lying, just stop it. It's not funny"
Miroku stood up and held her hands, "I'm serious"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaa!" Sango cried as she jumped back, ~This is really freaking me out!!!! I never dreamed this day would come, and when it finally does, it feels all wrong!!!!!~
Miroku sighed, "why is it so hard to just get a kiss from you. Man you're really hard to get....." He muttered.
"Are you....serious? About the.....asking me to be your wife and all" Sango asked.
Miroku looked at them, his face seemed to be turning red. He suddenly burst into laughter,
"I was just kidding around with you!!! HAHA, you actually believed me?! You? My wife? I don't think I'll ever get one!"
Sango's heart felt as if she had thrown it to Miroku to gently catch and that he would cherish and protect, but he had dropped it.
Sango turned around, "Baka" she hissed as she walked out of the hut.
Miroku's expression quickly changed as he frowned, ~What did I do?~
Kagome and InuYasha stood watching at the door. Kagome stomped up and furiously shook Miroku by the collar of his shirt,
"BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA!!!!! WHY THE HELL DID YOU MAKE FUN OF HER LIKE THAT?!!!!!" Kagome yelled.
"WHAT DID I DO?!!!!!"
"You know that's it's REALLY bad to joke around with one's feelings!!! And YOU should know it! You're an expert when it comes to girls, aren't you?!! Why?!"
"I meant all that I said...except the wife part" Miroku muttered.
"BAKA!"
"I really don't see the big deal" InuYasha muttered, "he just teased her a bit, she'll get over it. Though she might feel a little humiliated"
"You Don't GET IT! DO YOU! JEEZ! You males are so...out of there when it comes to emotion!!!!! LOVE" Kagome yelled.
"Where did love come from" InuYasha muttered.
"InuYasha....." Kagome said, her face covered in a dark shadow.
"What?"
"........sit"
BAM!!!!!
"Miroku.....Sango.......really likes you......." Kagome said, "and, pretend I never told you that. I would have told you if I didn't know that you liked her as well"
Miroku went still, "Sango........"
~Then.........I must have really hurt her........I just........never thought she would have had any feelings for me as I did. So I thought that it wouldn't matter~
Miroku ran out after Sango, and found her standing under a tree.
"Sango....."
"What is it Houshi-sama" Sango asked coldly.
"Um.....gomen"
Silence.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"I really did mean....well most of it, what I said.....I do think differently of you compared to others......I'm really sorry" Miroku said.
"A trap...." Sango muttered, ~He's trying to lure me in so that he could laugh at my vulnerable mistake again~
"No! I swear it's not!!!! I really do.......like you"
Sango found it too hard to believe, "I'm scared to believe you Houshi-sama"
"Please......just this once.....believe me"
Sango turned around, "are.......you.....telling me the truth?"
Miroku nodded, ~don't ask for a kiss, don't touch her in any inappropriate ways or she wont believe you~ Miroku recited in his head.
They just stood there aquardly. Sango looked up after a long moment of silence, looking strangely up at Miroku.
~Isn't he going to hug me or something?~ Sango thought.
"Um......."
"Sorry, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. If I kiss you, you might think I was joking, if I hug you, I might touch the wrong place habitually" he murmured.
Sango sweat dropped, ~Great......perfect, the day we confess our feelings.......this......Oi, he must have never confessed before. We most be the strangest couple alive~
Suddenly she felt herself held tightly in his arms, her heart thumped fast.
"Do you.....feel that way for me as well" he asked quietly.
".....H-H-Hai"
"Wakkata"
*****************************
Kagome and InuYasha sat down together on the steps outside of the hut, looking at the dark figures of Sango and Miroku embracing each other.
Kagome sighed and rested her chin on her knees, "I knew it" she whispered.
"Knew what?" InuYasha muttered, still annoyed with Kagome for sitting him.
"They're in love"
"Keh! Everyone's in love through your eyes"
Kagome smiled, "If only that were true.......I see too much hatred"
"Are your wounds better?" Kagome asked.
"Huh....yah. Kaede said it was all healed"
"Finally" Kagome muttered.
InuYasha looked on at the orange sky, not yet night.
"Can I see the Shikon jewel we have" InuYasha asked.
Kagome took it out of her pocket and gave it to InuYasha. He sweat dropped,
"Are you serious......THIS is all we have?!!!!! This..this pebble?!"
"Yup" Kagome answered, "Hey....didn't......you have the shikon fragments as well?"
*****Flashback*****
"If you dare strike at me, I shall kill Kagome....." Naraku said, as he lifted his hands into the air and stretched his fingers open, far in front of Kagome were three daggers floating in the air. Naraku closed his hands as the daggers disappeared. "I shall make this pierce into her body"
InuYasha quickly took his hands away from his sword. "What do you want with her!"
" I shall give you all of this Shikon shard" Naraku said, holding up a necklace that had a big fragment of the shard hanging from it. "If you can give Kagome over to me, and make her hate you. She has great power.....but no permanent darkness in her. I cannot control her if she has none. Do we have a deal?"
"Keh....are you that stupid that you thought I would give up that easily? I won't give Kagome up to you for the whole shikon jewel!" InuYasha said in a bitter cold voice.
"I see...." Naraku said in a pleased voice. "Then hand over the ones you already have on you" Naraku said.
"Keh, and why should I?!"
"Or else.....her life will be mine" Naraku replied.
InuYasha looked down at the shards glittering in his palm. He through it towards Naraku as it fell onto the thick snow. The snow started to fall very heavily, as the hail cut through InuYasha's cheeks.
*****End of Flashback*****
"Naraku has it" InuYasha muttered.
"Naraku? How?"
" That- that day.....when I thought you had died....Naraku's trap"
"You.....gave it to him.....for me?" Kagome asked, wondering, hoping that it was the answer.
"........Ya"
Kagome smiled and held his arms, "wakkata"
InuYasha coldly gazed out at the sky, ~It's not as it seems......Kagome. don't act as if I saved you or anything.....cuz I didn't. You died, because of my hesitation between you and Kikyo~
~I know.....that in Naraku's trap, I had died. I'm afraid to ask why, and I know you wont want to answer, I know it'll hurt you. I can feel it. So I wont ask. Maybe it'll be best unknown~ Kagome thought.
InuYasha looked down at the Shikon jewel glimmering in his palms, ~Naraku has almost three fourth of the shikon no Tama.....only a quarter or more is left to find. We have a bit, but it's not even considered.......The Shard is almost restored.........in the wrong hands~
"I can feel it, the end is nearing. The shikon jewel will soon be restored. Naraku is getting stronger, but what will you do after everything is over, that is, if you are still alive then. Will you use the Shikon Jewel if you possess it, to become a full Youkai. Will you run to me at the end, or the other girl. You do not have forever to decide" Kikyo's voice echoed in his mind.
~I'm running out of time~ InuYasha thought, ~But I cant choose yet~
Kagome looked up and saw so much pain and misery. ~ I wish I could help......but I can't do anything~
InuYasha sighed, "we're gunu have to leave this hut. We have to go on our journey. Miroku will probably get us a hut with his usual ways"
Kagome nodded.
**********************************
Everyone sweat dropped as they looked at the place Miroku had got for them.
Miroku was the only one smiling, "This shall be entertaining. The owner of this entertainment hut, owes me quite a bit from long ago for curing three possessed maidens that worked for him. He'll surely let us stay here. It's very big"
"We're gunu be staying at a place where we'll be entertained by.......your so called young maidens?!!!!" InuYasha yelled.
Miroku happily nodded. Then saw Sango fuming red in anger, and nervously smiled at her.
They entered the hut to see an young man that was very chubby running towards them.
"How may I...OH Miroku! My DEAR DEAR friend!!!!! How may I help you?!!!!"
"My friends and I are very tired and we need a place to stay for the night" Miroku said.
"OG COURSE!"
"Thank you"
"my ladies will entertain you for the time! They'll dance and sing for you! Just rest and watch, they are the finest ladies around here!!!!" the young man said.
He caught a glimpse of Kagome and Sango,
"And a....maybe I'll talk with you for a while Miroku old buddy, and maybe you can introduce me to some of your fine young ladies here"
InuYasha growled as he protectively stepped in front of Sango and Kagome.
They walked into the entertaining room to see two chubby ladies.
"So.....where are all your entertainers?" Miroku asked.
"Huh? OH! They're them!" the man said, pointing at the two ladies, "the rest of them had left early today"
Miroku stared, "th..them?!!!!"
The two ladies giggled and walked towards InuYasha and Miroku.
"Konichewa" the giggled.
"My name is Tsubaki" one girl whispered to InuYasha.
"My name is Tomo" the other girl whispered to Miroku.
"I never saw a Youkai before!" Tsubaki told InuYasha as she touched his ears, InuYasha just stood there, frozen in horror. Not knowing why that girl was talking like that with him.
"Wow" Tsubaki giggled, "it's real!"
"DUH!" Kagome yelled, "they look like friggin fat pigs powdered in white" Kagome hissed at Sango.
Sango grinded her teeth, "who do those fat pigs think they are"
Tomo was dancing close in front of Miroku, waving her fan in the air.
"What is your name?" Tsubaki asked, fluttering her eyes, ~he looks so strong. If I had him as a husband, I wouldn't have to worry about anything. And he looked strong and gorgeous as well~
".......Me?!"
"Yes you silly!"
"Um...." InuYasha backed away from her face that was near his, InuYasha coughed, asking for help from someone. Kagome just glared at him.
"I- InuYasha" InuYasha muttered, getting a little annoyed.
"Oh! MY! I have heard much about you!!! The famous InuYasha! The demon set against his own species! And also I heard of your tragic love life with the beautiful miko!!!" she giggled as she started to dance in a screechy voice for him.
"Will you get the hell away from me!!!" InuYasha yelled, getting a little freaked.
"Oh ho!" Tsubaki giggled, "I love my men rough"
InuYasha ran to Kagome and stood behind her.
"What the HELL is that bitch talking to me about?!!!!!!!" InuYasha asked.
"It's called, she likes you and is flirting with you" Kagome muttered, her face covered in a shadow.
"Let's get out of here!" InuYasha whispered.
"No, we have no where else to go"
"HELP!" InuYasha hissed at Kagome.
Tsubaki came dancing back to InuYasha, glaring at Kagome.
"Who is she?" Tsubaki asked, looking at Kagome.
~She acts as if she owns InuYasha~ Kagome thought
"He's MINE!!!!!" Kagome yelled.
"Ooooo, I love hard to get" she giggled, "I look more beautiful, so you have better watch out! And.....watch him leave your room and come to mine!! It's right next to the room you and your woman and friends are staying in"
"BAKA!!!!!!!!!!" Kagome yelled, throttling Tsubaki, "He's mine! But NOT in that way!!!!!!!! YOU PERVERT!!!!"
InuYasha backed away from Kagome, practically being able to feel the heat of her anger.
"The better!" Tsubaki giggled.
"SHUT UP WIT YOUR GIGGLES!" Kagome yelled.
On the other side of the room was Miroku being pulled apart by Sango and Tomo.
"Leave him alone!!!" Sango yelled.
"You!" Tomo screamed.
"Dear God lady, you don't have to scream!" Sango yelled back.
It had now become night, the stars filling the silky night sky.
A shadow lurked around the hut, catching the scent of the Shikon shards. The white wolf growled hungrily as saliva drooled down it's sharp fangs.
"I need...the shards" it growled. The wolf saw a woman holding a jar of water walking down the road from a little distance. "Must change form....."
It swiftly sped up to the woman who was humming.
The woman could feel a cold breeze behind her, she slowly turned around and all she saw was teeth, and splashes of blood. She gave a quick scream, then it faded quickly away.
InuYasha ran out of the door,
"Did you hear that?!" InuYasha asked.
Miroku frowned, "yes, I heard a scream of a young maiden"
Everyone stopped arguing. The two lady entertainers started to scream in horror.
"It was probably nothing" the young man said, smiling as he looked at Kagome and Sango.
"Will you quit looking at them?" InuYasha growled.
"O? I was not looking at them!"
"Yes you were"
"No"
"YES, SO QUIT IT!!!!!"
InuYasha took out his Tetsusaiga and looked outside again.
"Oh it's nothing, we hear it all the time! People screaming and all. Quite natural here. Many couples argue a lot around ere.......yup" the man said.
InuYasha walked up to the man, "that is the most fucked reason I've ever heard"
"Wow, my InuYasha!" Tsubaki said admiringly.
InuYasha sweat dropped.
~I get so jealous easily.....This isn't how I want to be~ Kagome sadly thought, "I'm going out to cool off" Kagome sighed, as she walked off.
"Kagome! Wait!" InuYasha cried, ~please don't leave me behind with these mad ladies!!!!!!!~
~Kagome.......why do you look so sad?~
"No, no, no, no, no" Tsubaki said holding him tightly, "stay here with me!"
InuYasha pushed away from Tsubaki and ran after Kagome. Tsubaki ran after InuYasha, but ran very slow........for obvious reasons.
~Even a second without you is unbearable~ InuYasha thought, ~How will I be able to bear it when I leave you forever~
"Kagome......" InuYasha quietly called, looking at Kagome who was standing alone in the middle of the forest.
"I needed to cool off" Kagome replied.
InuYasha walked closer up to Kagome.
Tsubaki watched behind a tree in curiosity, ~He looks so handsome under the moon light.....~
InuYasha stood right in front of Kagome.
Kagome gasped when she felt him holding her tightly in his arms.
"InuYasha? What's up?" Kagome asked.
"You told me to use my time wisely......and spending it with you.....would be the wisest" InuYasha whispered.
Kagome placed her hands on his arms that were wrapped around her.
~I wish we could be like this forever.....~ Kagome thought.
Tsubaki glared at Kagome. "I've had enough of this...." she hissed, as she back away, "You'll see.....I'll have my revenge. Just when I start feeling something for someone, you take him away. ERG! If I get rid of you......then.....he's mine"
"Kagome......I wish I didn't have to hurt anyone" InuYasha whispered.
"I know"
Suddenly InuYasha backed away, Kagome looked at him in question.
He was looking at the bushes.
~I sense something......~
A woman walked out, her eyes seeming vacant.
"Miss, would you help me find the way to the river where I can bathe this wound on my neck?" the woman asked, she had blood dripping down her neck.
"Sure......" Kagome muttered as she walked towards the woman. InuYasha held her back,
"Wait.......she's freaking me out.....something about her......this aurora" InuYasha muttered.
"Don't worry, she's just someone who's hurt. I have to go help"
"I'll come along"
"No! She has to BATHE her wound, it wouldn't be decent for you to come along" Kagome scolded.
"Give me the Shikon jewel" InuYasha muttered, but Kagome was already gone. ~Kagome wouldn't get hurt if she didn't have it with her, if that was a Youkai. But........maybe it's not~
Tsubaki looked in curiosity, ~Isn't that Kaya? She's lived here for so long, how could she forget where the river is?~
**~~ HI! Did ya guys like this chapter?! Eh heh, obviously by reading this chapter you'll know that action is coming in the next chapter ^^ Keep reading n reviewing plzzzzzzzzz ~~**