|Kagome pushed some more stuff into her bag. Soon, the path to the well|
|house would be clear, and the path to the house was already almost |
|done. |
| |
|She and Inuyasha had spent the previous night talking happily to each |
|other, not arguing, just talking. He'd caressed her hair, snuggling |
|her. |
| |
|To her own surprise, her fever hadn't come back up since yesterday and|
|now it was holding steady at 98.8 degrees. In other words, just above |
|normal. She'd wondered if it was because they'd gotten a lot off their|
|chests. |
| |
|She sighed, just shoving a bit more into her bag before slinging it |
|over her shoulder. How are we going to make this work? We... we're |
|from two different times... It can't possibly work... but I don't |
|care! I'll stay with him if I have to! She smiled, leaning back |
|against the wall and staring out across the snow outside her window. |
| |
|A clawed hand touched her shoulder. She smiled, looking back at him. |
|"Ohayo, Inuyasha." |
| |
|He leaned against the wall beside her, his hand closing around hers |
|gently. "Ohayo, Kagome..." He paused, his arm going around her waist. |
|"Kagome?" |
| |
|"Hmmm?" She leaned against him. |
| |
|"H-how are we going to make this work?" He whispered, closing his |
|eyes. Now that he finally told her, he was actually worried that she |
|may decide to stay away from him in her time. |
| |
|"I... I honestly don't know..." She brought their joined hands to her |
|lips, kissing his lightly. "We'll make it work. I wont just leave you,|
|believe me... but..." She finally sighed. "If all else fails I'll just|
|stay with you in your time." She said, hugging him. |
| |
|He froze. She's... she's willing to give up her time, her family for |
|me? I... I can't ask her to do that... but I'm part demon and... I'm |
|not exactly a socialite... I don't know how things are in her time... |
|what if... what if I were to embarrass her... He swallowed hard. |
|"Kagome-" |
|"You'd never embarrass me... and we may have to work on your people |
|skills... but, we can make it all work... I have friends here, but my |
|best friends live in your time..." She smiled, leaning back to look up|
|at him. "Don't worry, it'll all work out. There's someone up there |
|who's looking out for us..." She smiled, squeezing his hand |
|reassuringly. |
| |
|He looked down at her, looking embarrassed. Kagome... He slowly, |
|hesitantly wrapped her in a hug, his eyes tightly closed. "Kagome..." |
| |
| |
|She smiled, hugging him tighter. "It'll all work out perfect. |
|Aishiteru... Inuyasha..." She whispered, resting her head on his |
|chest. |
| |
|He sighed, nodding. "Hai..." |
| |
|Sango was an icicle. If Miroku didn't get her warmed up quickly, she |
|was going to die. Her wet clothes weren't helping any, either. Miroku |
|winced, thinking of the lumps he'd be receiving after this was over. |
|"Sango-sama, this is for your own good." He said to the now |
|unconscious demon hunter. He undid the top and quickly pulled it off, |
|then her pants, trying to forget the fact he had a lap full of |
|beautiful girl. |
| |
|Feh... if any one saw this, they'd think I really was a pervert... |
|but, Kagome told me about her lessons... and I listened. When she was|
|naked, he stripped himself, then the kitsune. |
| |
|"Hang on, Sango-sama..." Miroku whispered, concerned. |
| |
|"You better have a damn good excuse for this, houshi..." A weak voice |
|came back to him. |
| |
|"Sango-sama!" He exclaimed, hugging her, despite their nudity. "You're|
|alright!" |
| |
|She blinked, startled. She hesitantly looked under the blanket and saw|
|she, the houshi and the kit were naked as the day they were born. |
|"MIROKU!" She screeched, moving away from him and as far away as |
|possible without getting out of the warm blanket. |
| |
|"Your clothing was wet. What would wet clothing do when it's cold?" He|
|asked logically, drawing her to his side once again. "What a way to |
|treat the man who saved your life." He said, sounding exasperated. |
She blinked, starting slightly at the warmth of his skin. Slowly his warmth seeped into her and she felt herself relaxing. Then, she realized he'd seen every single scar and injury on her body and tensed again. "Now you wont be pulling all that perverted stuff with me, right?" She attempted to sound hopeful, but wound up sounding almost sad.
He glanced down at her. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Because I'm flawed and ugly."
His eyes moved down to hers, confused. "Flawed?" He asked, understanding suddenly, filling him. "You mean the scars?"
She nodded, not meeting his piercing his gaze.
"You're not flawed. Or ugly. Why do you think you are?" He looked at her, completely confused.
"Because everyone told me scars are unbefitting a true woman, so I wasn't one." She said it so plainly, as if it didn't hurt her, although each word was like a stab in her heart, and she feared she wouldn't get Miroku's attentions anymore because she was unwomanly.
"Sango-sama..." Miroku sounded so sad, her eyes jerked towards his. Sure enough, there was a great deal of sadness.
Her jaw tightened and she shoved him away. "I don't want your pity, damn it!"
He didn't budge. "Sango!" He insisted, dropping the former 'sama' and just saying her name. The change in attitude was enough to shut her up. He caressed her jawbone tilting her face upwards to his. "You are not ugly or flawed. You're beautiful." He said truthfully, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
Sango started, staring at him. Even the houshi hadn't tried a move this bold on her before. She'd never been kissed because her village hadn't considered herself womanly. It seemed fitting that this pervert would be her first kiss.
He slowly pulled back, staring down at her teary eyes. "I think Sango is lovely. A true woman." He said, hugging her gently. "If anyone ever says any different, I'll give them my opinion." He guided her head to his shoulder and held her carefully, knowing his life was in her hands.
"Miroku-sama..." Sango whispered, a tear slowly falling from her eyes. "Arigato... but, why?"
"Because, I love Sango-sama..." Miroku whispered, looking out across the ground. "With all my heart."
Sango gasped softly, staring up at him. "You... what?!"
"It's true... I love you..." He felt her eyes searching his face and slowly met them with his own. "That's why I never asked you to bear my child... I..." He hung his head, waiting for her to clobber him.
"M-miroku..." She dropped the sama as well. "W-why... how could anyone... I was so... y..." She whispered.
He kissed her face gently. "Because my heart said it was the right thing to do." He shrugged, nuzzling her face gently. "I love you, Sango."
"Miroku!"
He was socked to find himself with an armful of sobbing girl.
Kagome smiled, telling her family about why she survived the four days alone without anyone. They'd been surprised when they'd learned Inuyasha had arrived unconscious at their door on the first night due to a blizzard in his time as well.
Inuyasha bore with all the thanks and cheers from Sota with something resembling awkwardness. Finally, when Kagome was done with the explanation, Mrs. Higurashi hugged him tightly, crying. "You're always welcome in our house, Inuyasha!" She said, her face grateful.
"A... arigato..." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Kagome grabbed his hand, smiling. "Come on, we need to go check on the others." She dragged him from the shrine and they went to the well house.
"Do all the women in your family glom onto the nearest demon when they're relieved?" He asked, looking at her with a strange expression.
Kagome smirked. "If they do, it may mean I'm part demon to, Inu-chan." She said, slipping her arm through his.
He blushed, looking away. "Let's go see if the others are alive..." He said, his arm snaking around her waist and lifting her slightly as he jumped into the well.
"Kaede-obaasan!" Kagome called, walking into the hut, smiling brightly. Her smile faded when she saw Kikyou sitting there, surrounded by townspeople. Unfortunately, she didn't see Miroku, Sango or Shippou. Inuyasha's presence appeared behind her and she glanced back at him nervously.
"Baaba! Where are the others?!" He asked, his face hard. He hadn't even acknowledged Kikyou.
"They left yesterday, looking for you. You haven't seen them?"
"Iie..." Kagome turned towards him, looking up into his eyes. "We have to go after them." She said softly, her face nervous.
"Hai..." He glanced around the room, feeling the eyes on him. "Is there a problem?!" He snarled, glaring at them.
"Inuyasha..." Kikyou threw herself at his chest. "I was afraid you were dead..." She whispered.
He swallowed hard, waiting to be sat, but instead, he saw Kagome glaring at Kikyou. "Kikyou, Inuyasha and I don't have time for this. We have to go find our friends!" She grabbed Inuyasha by his hand and dragged him from the hut.
When they reached the forest, she released him. "GODS! Can't you stand up to her at ALL!? When are you going to tell her anyways?! OR ARE YOU STRINGING ME ALONG?!" She hissed, her face angry.
Inuyasha grabbed her face, his eyes intense. "When are you going to tell this Hojo that you feel nothing for him?!" He asked, caressing her face. "It isn't that easy. I'm not stringing you along... I love you..." He kissed both of her hands, pulling her into the forest. "We can argue later, right now, we need to find our friends!"
She nodded, her face suddenly nervous.
"Why are you so jealous anyways?" He wondered aloud, scooping her up onto his back.
She put her arms around his neck, hugging him from behind. "Do you really need to ask?" She asked, lightly kissing his ears.
He glanced back at her and smiled. "I guess not..."
With that, he sprung off into the forest.
Kikyou stood there seething. "In such a short time, the tramp steals his weak heart?! THE HEART THAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE?! I'LL KILL HER!"
Miroku knew Sango would die if she didn't get help soon. Even his body heat wasn't warming her enough to save her. Worse yet, he didn't know how to let go of someone he loved. Sango-sama... He tightened his grasp on her, a tear winding down her face. She'd long since lost consciousness and was limp as the kitsune who slept on Sango's lap.
"MIROKU?!" Voices called, pulling him out of his worried thoughts.
"W-who?!" He asked, looking up. He barely caught Inuyasha. Inuyasha leaned over the trio, his eyes worried. "Kagome, they're going to die if we don't get them warm fast..." He said, looking up at her.
She nodded, pulling out a thick blanket and a change of clothes for Sango. It wasn't a skirt, but she didn't think Sango would really wear one. She quickly changed Sango while Inuyasha wrapped the large blanket around Miroku and his kimono around Shippou.
Their eyes met over them, and familiarity swept through them. "We were in this situation not to long ago, ne, Kagome..." He whispered, reaching across and caressing her face.
"Hn..." Kagome nodded, wrapping another blanket around Sango. "Could you set up camp. I'll set up my tent and that should help keep them out of the elements..."
He nodded, digging into the snow rapidly and sending it out behind him. After he reached the dirt, he preceded to clear away a space for them to set up the tent and build a fire.
After camp was set and a nice fire was going, Kagome snuggled closer to Inuyasha, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad we made it in time... they wouldn't have been as lucky as us..."
He nodded, putting his arm around her shoulders and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.
"I see you have turned to a peasant when you could have had me instead, Inuyasha."
Kikyou's voice caused Kagome to stiffen, tightening her grasp on Inuyasha as they turned to face her.
"Kagome is no peasant..." Inuyasha said, his hand not leaving her waist. He glared at Kikyou, his face angry. "You may have followed me in death, but she gave me my life back. I live right now because of this woman."
"You betrayed me!" Kikyou screamed, lunging at the pair blindly.
Inuyasha pulled Kagome away from the attack. "Kikyou, you say I betrayed you, but in truth, you betrayed me!"
"I LOVED YOU!" She screamed.
"If you loved him... you'd let him go... like I was willing to... I was going to let him have you... if he wanted you... I wanted him happy... THAT is love... not lies and accusations... it's trust..."
Kikyou glared at her. "Look, girl, you don't know the first thing about-"
"Life?" Kagome pulled away from Inuyasha, her face angry. "I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LIFE?! THAT IS SO STUPID!"
"IS IT?!"
Kagome calmed suddenly, giving Kikyou a straight look. "I take my soul from thee to me..." She whispered, placing her hands over her heart. "I become whole once more and forevermore."
Before either Kikyou or Inuyasha realized what was happening, a faint glow began emanating from Kagome and her hair began swirling around her.
"I take what you stole from me, and return what you stole from others!" She finished in a yell and the souls burst from Kikyou, a small portion flying and hitting Kagome, sending her backwards a bit. In fact, directly into Inuyasha's chest.
Kikyou staggered slightly, looking at the girl in shock.
She stared at her right back. "I know more about life than you ever will..." She said, her eyes narrowing. "You didn't live your life. You may know more about death than me, but I'm the one who knows life... that is why I left you with a tiny piece of my soul..."
Inuyasha stared down at Kagome in shock. She can't kill anyone... she wants to use her powers for good, to help instead of hurt... "You should go, Kikyou..." He said, his face sad. His shape of Inuyasha with a form riding on his back when he passed out.
"But-!"
"NO!" He shouted. "You lost, Kikyou. I was yours once, but when you died, you lost all claims on me, as I did on you when I woke... I am Kagome's now..." He felt his love go limp in his arms and looked down at her worriedly.
"Why...?" Inuyasha met her eyes. "I don't know... I tried like hell not to fall in love with her... I didn't want to hurt anyone again... especially not her... and she found a way in while my guard was down and I fell for her..."
"How long did you plan on leading me on for?"
He looked down. "I thought I loved you... maybe I did... I don't know... but you have to let me go..." He picked Kagome up into his arms and moved towards her tent. When he turned around, a pile of bones and earth was all that was left. "She didn't belong with the living..." He murmured, laying Kagome on the ground of the tent and perching in the corner, keeping watch over his friend and love. They'd be fine.
Kagome would wake tomorrow and be as happy and bright as ever. Miroku would be groping Sango (That was fine as long as the lech kept his hands off Kagome). Shippou would be trying to pick a fight with Inuyasha and Sango would be moody and silent.
Yes, they'd be fine. After all, I love happy endings. I would never write something too depressing... would I?
She blinked, starting slightly at the warmth of his skin. Slowly his warmth seeped into her and she felt herself relaxing. Then, she realized he'd seen every single scar and injury on her body and tensed again. "Now you wont be pulling all that perverted stuff with me, right?" She attempted to sound hopeful, but wound up sounding almost sad.
He glanced down at her. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Because I'm flawed and ugly."
His eyes moved down to hers, confused. "Flawed?" He asked, understanding suddenly, filling him. "You mean the scars?"
She nodded, not meeting his piercing his gaze.
"You're not flawed. Or ugly. Why do you think you are?" He looked at her, completely confused.
"Because everyone told me scars are unbefitting a true woman, so I wasn't one." She said it so plainly, as if it didn't hurt her, although each word was like a stab in her heart, and she feared she wouldn't get Miroku's attentions anymore because she was unwomanly.
"Sango-sama..." Miroku sounded so sad, her eyes jerked towards his. Sure enough, there was a great deal of sadness.
Her jaw tightened and she shoved him away. "I don't want your pity, damn it!"
He didn't budge. "Sango!" He insisted, dropping the former 'sama' and just saying her name. The change in attitude was enough to shut her up. He caressed her jawbone tilting her face upwards to his. "You are not ugly or flawed. You're beautiful." He said truthfully, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
Sango started, staring at him. Even the houshi hadn't tried a move this bold on her before. She'd never been kissed because her village hadn't considered herself womanly. It seemed fitting that this pervert would be her first kiss.
He slowly pulled back, staring down at her teary eyes. "I think Sango is lovely. A true woman." He said, hugging her gently. "If anyone ever says any different, I'll give them my opinion." He guided her head to his shoulder and held her carefully, knowing his life was in her hands.
"Miroku-sama..." Sango whispered, a tear slowly falling from her eyes. "Arigato... but, why?"
"Because, I love Sango-sama..." Miroku whispered, looking out across the ground. "With all my heart."
Sango gasped softly, staring up at him. "You... what?!"
"It's true... I love you..." He felt her eyes searching his face and slowly met them with his own. "That's why I never asked you to bear my child... I..." He hung his head, waiting for her to clobber him.
"M-miroku..." She dropped the sama as well. "W-why... how could anyone... I was so... y..." She whispered.
He kissed her face gently. "Because my heart said it was the right thing to do." He shrugged, nuzzling her face gently. "I love you, Sango."
"Miroku!"
He was socked to find himself with an armful of sobbing girl.
Kagome smiled, telling her family about why she survived the four days alone without anyone. They'd been surprised when they'd learned Inuyasha had arrived unconscious at their door on the first night due to a blizzard in his time as well.
Inuyasha bore with all the thanks and cheers from Sota with something resembling awkwardness. Finally, when Kagome was done with the explanation, Mrs. Higurashi hugged him tightly, crying. "You're always welcome in our house, Inuyasha!" She said, her face grateful.
"A... arigato..." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Kagome grabbed his hand, smiling. "Come on, we need to go check on the others." She dragged him from the shrine and they went to the well house.
"Do all the women in your family glom onto the nearest demon when they're relieved?" He asked, looking at her with a strange expression.
Kagome smirked. "If they do, it may mean I'm part demon to, Inu-chan." She said, slipping her arm through his.
He blushed, looking away. "Let's go see if the others are alive..." He said, his arm snaking around her waist and lifting her slightly as he jumped into the well.
"Kaede-obaasan!" Kagome called, walking into the hut, smiling brightly. Her smile faded when she saw Kikyou sitting there, surrounded by townspeople. Unfortunately, she didn't see Miroku, Sango or Shippou. Inuyasha's presence appeared behind her and she glanced back at him nervously.
"Baaba! Where are the others?!" He asked, his face hard. He hadn't even acknowledged Kikyou.
"They left yesterday, looking for you. You haven't seen them?"
"Iie..." Kagome turned towards him, looking up into his eyes. "We have to go after them." She said softly, her face nervous.
"Hai..." He glanced around the room, feeling the eyes on him. "Is there a problem?!" He snarled, glaring at them.
"Inuyasha..." Kikyou threw herself at his chest. "I was afraid you were dead..." She whispered.
He swallowed hard, waiting to be sat, but instead, he saw Kagome glaring at Kikyou. "Kikyou, Inuyasha and I don't have time for this. We have to go find our friends!" She grabbed Inuyasha by his hand and dragged him from the hut.
When they reached the forest, she released him. "GODS! Can't you stand up to her at ALL!? When are you going to tell her anyways?! OR ARE YOU STRINGING ME ALONG?!" She hissed, her face angry.
Inuyasha grabbed her face, his eyes intense. "When are you going to tell this Hojo that you feel nothing for him?!" He asked, caressing her face. "It isn't that easy. I'm not stringing you along... I love you..." He kissed both of her hands, pulling her into the forest. "We can argue later, right now, we need to find our friends!"
She nodded, her face suddenly nervous.
"Why are you so jealous anyways?" He wondered aloud, scooping her up onto his back.
She put her arms around his neck, hugging him from behind. "Do you really need to ask?" She asked, lightly kissing his ears.
He glanced back at her and smiled. "I guess not..."
With that, he sprung off into the forest.
Kikyou stood there seething. "In such a short time, the tramp steals his weak heart?! THE HEART THAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE?! I'LL KILL HER!"
Miroku knew Sango would die if she didn't get help soon. Even his body heat wasn't warming her enough to save her. Worse yet, he didn't know how to let go of someone he loved. Sango-sama... He tightened his grasp on her, a tear winding down her face. She'd long since lost consciousness and was limp as the kitsune who slept on Sango's lap.
"MIROKU?!" Voices called, pulling him out of his worried thoughts.
"W-who?!" He asked, looking up. He barely caught Inuyasha. Inuyasha leaned over the trio, his eyes worried. "Kagome, they're going to die if we don't get them warm fast..." He said, looking up at her.
She nodded, pulling out a thick blanket and a change of clothes for Sango. It wasn't a skirt, but she didn't think Sango would really wear one. She quickly changed Sango while Inuyasha wrapped the large blanket around Miroku and his kimono around Shippou.
Their eyes met over them, and familiarity swept through them. "We were in this situation not to long ago, ne, Kagome..." He whispered, reaching across and caressing her face.
"Hn..." Kagome nodded, wrapping another blanket around Sango. "Could you set up camp. I'll set up my tent and that should help keep them out of the elements..."
He nodded, digging into the snow rapidly and sending it out behind him. After he reached the dirt, he preceded to clear away a space for them to set up the tent and build a fire.
After camp was set and a nice fire was going, Kagome snuggled closer to Inuyasha, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad we made it in time... they wouldn't have been as lucky as us..."
He nodded, putting his arm around her shoulders and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.
"I see you have turned to a peasant when you could have had me instead, Inuyasha."
Kikyou's voice caused Kagome to stiffen, tightening her grasp on Inuyasha as they turned to face her.
"Kagome is no peasant..." Inuyasha said, his hand not leaving her waist. He glared at Kikyou, his face angry. "You may have followed me in death, but she gave me my life back. I live right now because of this woman."
"You betrayed me!" Kikyou screamed, lunging at the pair blindly.
Inuyasha pulled Kagome away from the attack. "Kikyou, you say I betrayed you, but in truth, you betrayed me!"
"I LOVED YOU!" She screamed.
"If you loved him... you'd let him go... like I was willing to... I was going to let him have you... if he wanted you... I wanted him happy... THAT is love... not lies and accusations... it's trust..."
Kikyou glared at her. "Look, girl, you don't know the first thing about-"
"Life?" Kagome pulled away from Inuyasha, her face angry. "I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LIFE?! THAT IS SO STUPID!"
"IS IT?!"
Kagome calmed suddenly, giving Kikyou a straight look. "I take my soul from thee to me..." She whispered, placing her hands over her heart. "I become whole once more and forevermore."
Before either Kikyou or Inuyasha realized what was happening, a faint glow began emanating from Kagome and her hair began swirling around her.
"I take what you stole from me, and return what you stole from others!" She finished in a yell and the souls burst from Kikyou, a small portion flying and hitting Kagome, sending her backwards a bit. In fact, directly into Inuyasha's chest.
Kikyou staggered slightly, looking at the girl in shock.
She stared at her right back. "I know more about life than you ever will..." She said, her eyes narrowing. "You didn't live your life. You may know more about death than me, but I'm the one who knows life... that is why I left you with a tiny piece of my soul..."
Inuyasha stared down at Kagome in shock. She can't kill anyone... she wants to use her powers for good, to help instead of hurt... "You should go, Kikyou..." He said, his face sad. His shape of Inuyasha with a form riding on his back when he passed out.
"But-!"
"NO!" He shouted. "You lost, Kikyou. I was yours once, but when you died, you lost all claims on me, as I did on you when I woke... I am Kagome's now..." He felt his love go limp in his arms and looked down at her worriedly.
"Why...?" Inuyasha met her eyes. "I don't know... I tried like hell not to fall in love with her... I didn't want to hurt anyone again... especially not her... and she found a way in while my guard was down and I fell for her..."
"How long did you plan on leading me on for?"
He looked down. "I thought I loved you... maybe I did... I don't know... but you have to let me go..." He picked Kagome up into his arms and moved towards her tent. When he turned around, a pile of bones and earth was all that was left. "She didn't belong with the living..." He murmured, laying Kagome on the ground of the tent and perching in the corner, keeping watch over his friend and love. They'd be fine.
Kagome would wake tomorrow and be as happy and bright as ever. Miroku would be groping Sango (That was fine as long as the lech kept his hands off Kagome). Shippou would be trying to pick a fight with Inuyasha and Sango would be moody and silent.
Yes, they'd be fine. After all, I love happy endings. I would never write something too depressing... would I?