Shayril: Hiya, folks! I'm back with another chapter. Let me tell you
though, I got very few reviews for the first ten chapters. Count'em ten!
You'd think I'd get a lot more for so many chapters at once.
Navi: That's because people are smart and know what they're doing.
Inuyasha: (Snickering.) Yup! You tell her.
Shayril: (Glares at the hanyou.) Would you like me to get Kagome back here?
She's still not too happy with you for trying to kill Yue, ya know.
(Inuyasha swallows audibly and puts his hands up in surrender.)
Inuyasha: N. no. That's all right. I'll be quiet.
Shayril: (Pats Inu's head.) Good boy.
Navi: (Sneers.) Wuss. I've had flies in my torture chamber that can handle
pain better than you. Hell, Kalika can take pain better than you.
Inuyasha: That's because Kalika is so hyper that she doesn't feel any pain.
I'd prefer not to have a broken back when I fight Naraku, thank you very
much.
Shayril: (Distractedly.) Who says you're the one that's gonna fight him
anyway?
Inuyasha: WHAT!!! You put me through all that and I don't even get to fight
Naraku. I'm gonna.
Shayril: Careful with what you say, dog-boy. You say something I don't like
and Kagome will be here with nothing more than a thought from me.
Inuyasha: (Grumbling.) Feh! First I don't get a girl, now I don't get to
fight the asshole. What's next? Sesshoumaru smiling?!
Shayril: Don't worry, Inu baby. You'll get a girl.
Inuyasha: (Hopefully.) I will?!
Shayril: (Nodding.) Yup! In the sequel.
Inuyasha: (Face faults.) You mean I have to wait that long?!
Shayril: Yup. Now on to the fic!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Chapter Eleven - Unwanted Alliance
"Where are we anyway?" Kagome asked. "And where are they? We couldn't have been more than a day away from them."
"We passed the camp already." Yue told her.
She spun around to face him. "Nani?! When?"
"More than two hours ago."
She threw her hands up into the air. "Why didn't you say anything? And where are they?"
He shrugged slightly. "I do not know, but I sensed magic with the Dark Card Master's signature. I think he used a spell to more them."
"She," Kagome said absently, something was nagging at her. "The Dark Card Master is a female. The male presence was Naraku's. They're working together now."
"How can you tell?" He asked.
"I can sense the difference between a male presence and a female presence and after three years I know when Naraku is around. Since both of their presences are here it's logical to assume that they are working together. Either that or the Dark Mistress used Naraku's attack to her advantage."
"Where should we. Umph!"
H was cut off when she suddenly lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. A moment later he saw the dragon youkai from two days earlier swoop overhead. It shrieked in anger when it realized it had missed its target and swung around to make another pass. Kagome shifted on top of him to watch the youkai. Despite the danger they were in, Yue couldn't help the sudden desire that flared within him. Fortunately, Kagome was too distracted by the youkai to notice. The moment the beast was past them she leapt up and he felt suddenly bereft. He forced his thoughts of her to the back of his mind as he climbed to his feet.
Kagome tried not to think of the position she and Yue had just been in. She couldn't afford to be distracted right now. As the dragon youkai swung around, she cursed the fact that she didn't have her bow and arrows with her. Her scais wouldn't do much good against a flying demon. Yue fired an energy ball into the thing's face and readied another. There was nothing she could do except watch as the guardian battled with the demon.
He dodged out of the youkai's reach and threw another energy ball at the thing. His mind swam as her tried to figure out another way to fight it. The energy blasts weren't doing much damage. He rolled away from another swipe and came up hurling daggers of ice at it. It swiped most of them out of the air, but a couple of them managed to slice through its scales. Much better, Yue thought approvingly. After that the guardian began to gain the upper hand.
Kagome couldn't contain her shout of triumph as the tides of the battle turned in yue's favor. She wrung her hands in frustration at not being able to help. She also couldn't understand why the Dark Card Mistress and Naraku would send the youkai to capture her. Naraku hadn't shown any interest in her beyond the fact that she was Kikyou's reincarnation and she didn't even know whom the Dark Card Mistress was. All her thoughts froze where they were as she looked back to the fight and her blood ran cold.
"Yue, look out! Above you!"
His head snapped up at the girl's shouts. A curse flew from his lips as he dodged to the side just enough so that the youkai's bladed tail caught his shoulder instead of his heart. He cried out in pain as the dragon ripped its tail out of his shoulder. The guardian was so distracted by the pain that he didn't notice the claw dripping with poison until he felt it dig into his stomach before flinging him away.
Kagome's eyes were wide in horror as she saw the youkai fling Yue into a tree. She saw the guardian struggle to rise as the beast stalked towards him, but he was too weak. The dragon raised its poisonous claw to deal the finishing blow and a white-hot rage grew in her.
"NO!"
With her yell she threw her hand out and a sword of white flames appeared in her grasp. Howling a battle cry full of rage she charged at the youkai. It didn't even have a chance to move before she sliced through its wing. The young miko easily evaded its claws as she wove a dance of pain with her flame sword. Then, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Without looking she brought her sword up and caught the bladed tail before it could impale her side. The youkai pulled its tail back and swung it at her neck. Kagome ducked below the appendage while swinging her sword above her, amputating half of the tail. The dragon shrieked in pain and lunged at her, swinging its claws in a wild frenzy of rage and pain. The miko easily parried or avoided the blows. It was as if some ultimate warrior suddenly possessed her, but she knew she would soon tire. She wouldn't last too much longer. At that moment she caught sight of Yue slumped against the tree and she fought with renewed force.
Yue watched through heavy-lidded eyes as she fought the youkai. Her sword was a blur of light as she fended off its attacks. When Kagome had first attacked the youkai he had struggled to rise and go to her aid. Then he saw her sword and the ease with which she handled herself and let himself slump back against the tree. Now he struggled to remain conscious. When the demon tried to impale her with its tail, an icy hand had gripped his heart and refused to let go, even after she deflected the blow. It amazed him, the feelings this woman invoked in him after less than a month. His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of the dragon youkai leaping at Kagome with claws ready to rend her flesh from her bones. The icy hand around his heart threatened to squeeze the life from him.
The miko didn't even flinch as the demon leapt at her. Holding her ground until the last possible moment, she dropped below the dragon and stabbed upwards into its throat. Twisting her blade, she ripped it out through the side of the youkai's neck. It fell to the ground on its side, laboring to rise again as she approached. With one quick slash she finished decapitating the youkai. Not looking back, she spun around and raced to Yue's side, her sword of flames disappearing. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief when she found that he was still alive. barely. His white and silver robes were soaked in his blood and the tree he was slumped against would be stained forever more with that same blood. She touched his shoulder.
"Yue-san, hold on. I'm going to heal you now."
He nodded weakly. Kagome closed her eyes and gathered energy into her hands. Once the energy was pooled she opened her eyes and gently placed her hands over the guardian's wounds. She willed the power to enter his body and repair it. Nothing happened. Her magic remained pooled in her hands. She tried again and again there were no results. His violet eyes turned to look at her questioningly. They were dull with pain. The miko shook her head.
"Something's wrong. My magic won't heal you," she whispered.
"It must. be my guardian blood. Maybe you can't. heal me. because I'm not human," he suggested feebly.
She shook her head again. "That shouldn't matter. I've healed Inuyasha and Shippou before."
"Then. I guess. there's nothing you can. do. It's over. for me."
"No!" She cried desperately. "It can't be. You're too strong to die!"
He gave her a faint smile and took her hand in his. "I don't. have a choice. Arigato. for caring about. me."
"You're an easy person to care about, Yue-san." Her eyes were brimming with tears now.
His breathing was shallow and he fought to continue looking at her. He wanted the last thing he saw to be her face. It was never more apparent how much he loved her then at that moment. He ruthlessly pushed any ideas of her feelings for Inuyasha to the back of his mind. In his last moments he would pretend that Kagome loved him the same as he loved her. As his breaths slowed a realization came to him. She should know, he thought as he looked into her beautiful brown eyes.
"Kagome-sama." he choked out.
She placed her fingers over his lips. "Save your strength. I'll find a way to save you, Yue-san. Y. You can't die."
"I. have to." he stopped, too weak to speak.
Tears were sliding silently down her face as she gazed at him. He wanted to wipe them away. He hated seeing her cry. He mentally cursed himself for letting himself get wounded and causing her to cry. Rationally, he knew it wasn't his fault. He knew that he couldn't have prevented it, but he still felt rotten for being the reason for her tears.
Kagome clutched his hand tightly, as if she could keep him alive by mere force of will. Gods it hurt seeing him like that! Why did this have to be? She wanted to be with him. She wanted him to live. She wanted him to love her just as much as she loved him. She felt like her world was ending. His breathing was slowing and she could see that he was forcing himself to stay awake. Soon, though, his eyes began to slide closed.
"Kagome," he breathed just before losing consciousness.
"No! Yue-san, wake up! Wake up! Don't you dare leave me!" She cried desperately. "Yue! No, no, no, no. Hold on! Please, hold on."
She broke into sobs when he didn't respond. She felt as if she would never stop crying. She had never had a chance to tell him how she felt. She never knew how he felt about her.
* * *
They all froze at the sound of heart wrenching sobs coming from somewhere nearby. Looking around for the source, they realized it was coming from a clearing a little to the left of where they were. Upon reaching the clearing the trio discovered a shocking sight. A young woman with raven hair and the most unusual kimono knelt beside a body. Her entire being shook as she wept, nearby lat the remains of a dragon youkai. As unsettling as that might be, what shocked them was whose body the woman was weeping over.
"Excuse me."
He head snapped up at the voice. What could he be doing here? Oh no. Yue! He shouldn't see him. But there was nothing she could do now. Truth be told, she didn't want to do anything. She just wanted Yue back.
"Excuse me," he said again. "What happened here, child?"
Sighing, she understood that he wouldn't leave until he had answers. Kagome turned to face him and froze. She hadn't expected to see him standing there, too. Clow Reed stood at the edge of the clearing with a gentle look on his face. Sitting on his shoulder was Kero in his false form and there, standing just behind Clow Reed was Yue. He was healthy and strong with a look of shock and utter confusion. Gods, it hurt to see him there while crying over the dead body of his future self. She couldn't stop herself from bursting into sobs again at the sight of him.
Yue took an involuntary step forward when the girl burst into tears again. He was confused and shocked by the sight of what appeared to be an older version of himself. And now he felt the desire to comfort her. He couldn't understand why, but he hated seeing tears in her brown eyes. They had no place there. He wanted to wipe them away and hold her until she was happy again.
"Child?" Clow said gently.
Taking a deep breath she quietly told them of the battle with the youkai. As she spoke Clow moved to the older Yue's side. By the time she ended her story she was sobbing uncontrollably once again.
"Dry you tears, child. He still lives, barely. If we get him to my keep I can heal him."
Kagome shook her head forlornly. "It won't work. I've already tried healing him. It wouldn't work."
Clow Reed smiled kindly. "Ah, but I created him, so I know how to heal him. Besides, the only reason you couldn't heal him is because healing beings of magic is different from healing humans or even youkai. If there is a next time you could heal him after you learn how to heal magical beings. Now, let's get him to my keep."
Kagome suddenly remembered what she witnessed the night before and wasn't so sure she wanted to put Yue in Clow Reed's care again. She vacillated between her desire to keep Yue out of Clow's hands and her need to save him. In the end, however, need outweighed want. Reluctantly, she nodded and moved back so that the younger Yue could pick him up. She could see that he found it disconcerting, to say the least, to be carrying his own body. He seemed to be having trouble with the experience, as if he didn't really want to do it. Kagome stepped up beside him and rested her hand on his arm.
You don't have to carry him, she sent. I can do it.
He looked at her as if she had grown a second head, but put him down. She smiled at him and gave him a wink before stepping over to the future Yue's side. With practiced skill she cast a levitation spell on his body, grateful that he had taught her how to do it a few nights ago.
* * *
Kagome refused to leave Yue's side the whole time Clow Reed was tending to Yue. She may trust him enough to heal the guardian, but she didn't trust that he wouldn't do something else if she left him alone. Yue was free of Clow Reed and she would make sure he stayed that way. Besides, she didn't want to leave his side until he woke up. She sat next to his bed, clutching his hand like a lifeline.
* * *
He was lost. That was the only way he could think to explain it. He was literally in the middle of nowhere. It was a vast, gray emptiness that seemed to never end. He couldn't understand why he was here. Wasn't he supposed to be dead? Wasn't that why his entire body was in pain? No, not his entire body, he amended. He felt a small bit of relief spreading out from his hand. An anchor, a safe haven in all of the agony. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew what the source of this relief was, but he couldn't name it now. He was just too tired to bring it to mind. He didn't let it concern him too much. He knew he would figure it out eventually. Right now he just wanted to enjoy it.
* * *
"Tell me, Kagome-san, how is it possible that he is here? Why is he here?"
She gave the sorcerer a long look. "Obviously, you've figured out that he's from the future. Honestly, so am I. I travel through time to help the hanyou, Inuyasha, reassemble the Shikon no Tama and fight the evil hanyou, Naraku. Yue is only here for as long as it takes to defeat the Dark Card Mistress."
"What do you mean, 'Dark Card Mistress'? There are no Dark Cards."
"Someone has discovered how you created the Clow Cards and used that knowledge to create Dark Cards. She also discovered the way to the future and began causing trouble in my time. Yue's new master has come back through time with Yue and Kero to help defeat the Dark Cards."
Clow Reed sat back with a thoughtful look on his face. "So that's what has been causing trouble around here. I have been trying to discover the source." He looked up at her. "I would like to help you."
"I can't make that decision on my own. I have eight other people in my group. I'd have to discuss it with them first and I have no idea where they are. The Dark Mistress used magic to send them somewhere."
* * *
He bounded across the ground. His pace hadn't decreased since he started out. Kagome may be in love with Yue, but that didn't change the fact that Inuyasha loved her and needed to make sure she was safe. Everything else was forgotten in his desire to find Kagome. He didn't know if the others were following. He didn't know if he had left them behind. All he knew was that he had to find Kagome. Then, a familiar scent caught his attention and he skidded to a stop. The carcass of a decapitated dragon youkai with half a tail and mutilated wings lay in a heap in the middle of the clearing he was now in. Looking around, he spotted a tree that was stained with blood. Walking over, he crouched beside it and sniffed. It was Yue's blood and a lot of it. Kagome's scent lingered in the air mingled with the saltiness of her tears. It was obvious what had happened. Yue was badly wounded if not dead and Kagome, of course, would have cried over him.
Inuyasha rose and sniffed the air, looking for the direction she had gone in. when he found it a frown etched itself on his face. There were four scents with her. Yue's, which was tainted with blood, but didn't give the impression that he was dead. He was grateful for that for Kagome's sake. It was the other three scents that concerned him. There was one that he didn't recognize, a fact that put him on edge. He wouldn't have been too happy at that if not for the fact that he knew the remaining two scents. They confused the hell out of him, though. One of them smelled like Kero, but he was with Miroku, Sango, and the others. Wasn't he? And the other smelled like Yue except he was healthy and strong unlike the first Yue's scent. What's going on? His thoughts were interrupted when the rest of the group arrived in the clearing, Sango, Shippou, and Miroku on Kirara and Sakura on Kero in his true form. They all stopped dead at the sight of the dead youkai. Miroku let out a low whistle.
"Looks like Yue wasn't too happy with the youkai trying to take Kagome-sama," he observed.
Kero shook his head. "This isn't just Yue's work. He doesn't have the means to decapitate a dragon."
"Neither does Kagome-chan," Sakura pointed out.
"I don't know about that," Sango said. "Kagome-chan has done some amazing things with her powers."
"Yeah," Shippou chirped. "Oi! Inuyasha, why're you just standing there? Shouldn't we go after Kagome?"
The hanyou turned and pinned Kero with a look. "You've been with them this whole time, right?"
The guardian nodded. "Duh! Not that you've been paying attention."
Inuyasha frowned. "Then, why."
"What is wrong, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.
"Oi! Stuffed animal! Do you recognize any of the scents around her?" the hanyou asked, ignoring the houshi.
Bristling at being called at stuffed animal, especially since he was still in his true form, Kero obediently sniffed the air. His eyes widened at what he found.
"Clow Reed!" He started looking around.
"What?" Sakura's eyes looked as if they might fall out of her head. "You mean he was here? How is that possible?"
Kero swiped at his head. "Of course! Now I recognize this place. Clow kept a castle in Japan. It's about half a day away."
"Why would Kagome go with him?" Shippou asked.
"Because Yue is wounded and she probably doesn't know how to heal him."
Sakura nodded. "But Clow Reed does and she didn't know where we were."
"So let's go," Sango said. "Kero-chan can lead us to Clow's castle."
With a whoop they headed off after their lost friends.
* * *
She smoothed the hair from his brow. Even in sleep his face held no expression. At least, not to others. Somehow she could always read him. Right now his face was completely relaxed and he was at peace. An expression that would change drastically when he woke up to find himself in Clow Reed's castle once again. She hoped that he would understand. She wouldn't be able to stand having him resent her because of this. She was distracted from her thoughts by the sound of someone on the balcony. She frowned as she sensed the young Yue standing out there. She dropped a kiss on the future Yue's brow before crossing over to the balcony.
"Yue-san? Did you want something?"
He started at the sound of her voice and turned to face her. The look in his eyes was so sad that Kagome found herself taking a step towards him.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "And don't be like him. Don't tell me it's nothing. You can't hide your feelings like he does, yet."
Yue sighed. "This is the only place Clow-sama won't think to look for me."
She nodded knowingly. "You're free to stay as long as you feel you have to. I'm sure you find it difficult."
His eyes snapped to her face. "You know what I do?"
"What he makes you do? Hai, I know. Yue-san told me."
The young guardian's face fell. "You must be disgusted with me," he said, looking away.
Kagome stepped up to him and gently turned his head to look at her. "I'm not. You have no choice. Clow makes you do it. I know you don't enjoy it."
"I'm weak to let it happen. I'm not worthy of you kindness, Kagome- sama."
"You are not weak. You're one of the strongest people I know. And I decide who deserves my kindness. What he makes you do does not make who you are."
He slumped into one of the balcony chairs, an unusual sight for Kagome after spending time with the rigid, formal Yue from her time. He buried his face in his hands, his silver hair falling over his shoulder to hide his face even more. His shoulders were tense as he tried to fight his emotions.
"It's just. It hurts that he could make me. do that. He's like a father to me. He even acts like a father. But then. he. he grows." He trailed off.
Kagome wordlessly came up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He didn't do anything at first, but after a moment his hands rested on the arm across his chest and he leaned into her embrace. His eyes slid closed as he struggled to come to terms with his emotions.
Yue allowed himself the comfort of her embrace. It soothed his wounded soul. He was at peace with her near. For the first time he could remember, he was content. He could stay in her arms all day.
* * *
Pictures flew by him. Pictures of himself watching her as she sat by someone's bed, of her smiling at him when he brought her meals to her, and of her holding him, comforting him. But that wasn't right. These things never happened. He was sure of it. What was going on?
* * *
"Will you except Clow-sama's offer of help?" Yue asked after a while.
"I don't know. As I told him, I need to discuss it with my companions first. It's their decision, too," the miko answered. "Besides which, I don't know if I want to ally myself with him. He's a nice enough person but I don't know about working with someone who would do what he has to you; to him." She nodded towards the bedroom. "It's not right."
He looked at her seriously. "If he can help you then you should accept his assistance. I don't want you to reject a useful ally on my account. I'm sure my future self would feel the same."
Kagome held her tongue. She didn't want to tell him about the pain she had seen when Yue told her about what Clow Reed had done to him. As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't do anything that might change Yue's life any more than she already could have just by being in this castle. It might change who he was in her time and thus, her love for him. Something she definitely didn't want.
"I'll remember that when discussing it with the others. They don't know what he's done so they won't be biased."
They fell silent and stayed in that position, with her arms wrapped around his shoulders and him leaning with his head resting on her shoulder. It felt right, safe, as if they were meant to be like that. Kagome smiled sadly at the thought. If only the other one believed it, she thought.
I'm sure he does.
She looked down at the young guardian in surprise. You heard that?
He nodded. I'm the only one who did. I'm sure he feels the same as you.
Why would he?
Yue hesitated. Because I think I do.
Kagome blinked, a look of shock written across her face. Before she could respond another mind intruded.
Yue, I want you. Clow Reed said, not noticing that the miko was there. Come soon.
She felt the strength that he had drawn from her comfort begin to wane as he once again rested his head on her shoulder. She tightened her hold on him a moment. They knew what he wanted. Yue didn't want to go and she didn't want him to, but Clow was his master and he couldn't disobey him. So, reluctantly, the guardian gently pushed her back and stood, his face set as he turned to leave. Then, he turned back to her after a second thought, his face softening. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. It was a soft, tender kiss that he broke almost as soon as he did it.
"Arigato," he said softly before leaving.
Kagome watched him as he flew a moment, her fingers resting on her lips and a small smile on her face. Then, she returned to the bedside of the wounded Yue. She looked at him thoughtfully. I wonder if he could ever let go of his emotions like that again.
* * *
"Kagome!"
The shout immediately snapped her out of her sleep. Blearily she looked around, wiping the sleep from her eyes. There was some sort of commotion in the courtyard below her window. The raised voices of Inuyasha and Kero were clearly heard above it all. She quickly made sure that Yue was still asleep before storming out onto the balcony, making sure to close the door.
"Inuyasha, lower you voice!" She hissed at the figure below, knowing he'd hear her. "Yue is resting."
The hanyou had shut up the moment she appeared above. Now he leapt up to the balcony she stood on and looked her over for any wounds. When he was satisfied that all she had were a few scratches he peered at her.
"Are you all right? What happened?" he asked.
"After Yue rescued me from the youkai we came looking for you and discovered that the Dark Card Mistress had sent you somewhere. The youkai came back for us and Yue fought it by himself because I didn't have my bow and couldn't use my scais against the thing. Then, he got wounded, almost killed."
"He killed the youkai first, didn't he?" Sango asked as the rest of the group arrived in the room and came out to join them.
She shook her head. "I killed it."
"What? How?"
Kagome shrugged. "I don't really know. I just got so mad when it almost killed Yue that this sword made of white flames appeared in my hand. I killed it with that."
"White flames?" Miroku asked.
"Yup. Don't ask me where it came from 'cause I don't know. I threw my hand out to throw an energy blast at it and the sword just appeared."
"That's interesting," a new voice said. "You didn't mention that when you told me your story."
Kagome leveled a cool look at Clow Reed. "Some things are best left unsaid when speaking with strangers."
"Kagome-chan, he's Clow Reed," Sakura said. "You can trust him."
The miko snorted as the sorcerer turned to the sorceress. "You must be the Card Mistress that came with Kagome-san from the future."
Sakura blushed. "Hai, Clow-sama."
Kagome bristled at hearing her friend use the title. She was Clow's equal.
"Excuse me," she said through gritted teeth. "I need to see to Yue- san. His bandages need changing."
No one saw Inuyasha's sad look as he watched her tenderly care for the wounded guardian. He could see the love in her eyes when she looked at him. Even after hearing Sakure and Kero's conversation the other day a small spark of hope had remained. He had refused to let it die. Now it had been smothered, too. He truly had lost her. He could feel his heart break. If he were to feel the pain of all the wounds he had ever suffered at the exact same time it would hurt less.
Sakura noticed the pain in the hanyou's eyes as he watched Kagome. It seemed he knew that she was in love with the guardian. She felt bad for her friend. She couldn't even imagine what it would feel like to be in love with someone who was in love with another. She hoped he would one day be able to move on. It would be unbearably sad if he wasted away because he lost Kagome. She was brought out of her reverie by Clow Reed.
"I would like to hear all about your experiences as the Card Mistress," he said. "However, it is quite late and I'm sure you are all exhausted. I'll show you where you can sleep."
'I'm gonna sleep in Kagome's room," Shippou chirped. "Where is it?"
"This is Kagome-san's room," Clow replied as they filed out of the room.
They didn't realize Inuyasha had frozen in his spot at the words. Kagome shared a room with Yue! Oh gods, it was too much! Why? Why couldn't she wait for me a little longer? He asked himself. Why couldn't I have come to my senses sooner? He glanced forlornly back at the woman who didn't love him in return anymore. With a heavy sigh, he left the room and hurried to catch up with the others.
* * *
"Damn! Damn! Damn! They weren't supposed to be reunited yet."
"They weren't supposed to be reunited at all," the Dark Mistress growled. "That dragon of yours was supposed to kill the guardian causing the miko to make a suicide attack on it."
Naraku arched an amused eyebrow at her. "Did you honestly expect that to work? She is a miko. Her sort aren't as weak-willed as that. I must say, though, I didn't expect that. I was expecting a huge blast of latent energy incinerating the beast. Instead, she mutilated it with a sword of flame." His gaze hardened. "I want to know how she did it. That is not something a miko should be able to do."
"No one should be able to do that. No sorcerer, witch, priest, or angel should be able to do that," she told him. "This girl is no ordinary miko."
He glared at her. "I know that. It's obvious from the fact that she carried the Shikon no Tama within her body. I wonder what the extent of her powers are."
She looked at him suspiciously. "What are you planning?"
There was a glint in his eye that she didn't like. Yet, it excited her at the same time. The pure evil she saw there had her forcing her body not to react in pleasure.
"We saw the results when her beloved was merely wounded. Now let us see what his death would do to her."
It was like a cold shower. "Are you insane? The one thing you don't want to do is face her at her full power."
He waved her warning away. "Of course I do. I want to know the true power of my enemy."
"I'm telling you, Naraku, you will not be safe if you awaken all her powers. She would raze this castle to the ground around you. And I personally don't want to rebuild it. You and all your minions will be food for whatever scavengers will eat you."
The evil hanyou wasn't listening as he left the chambers. "Nonsense. I have most of the Shikon no Tama. There is no way she can touch me."
She let loose a sting of expletives as she spun back to her magic mirror. That idiot had no idea what he was getting himself into. She only had an inkling of the damage the girl could do. She was fairly certain she knew what and who the girl was. If she was right then anyone with a brain would steer clear of her when Naraku carried out his plan. The Dark Mistress certainly didn't want to face the miko's wrath upon the death of the one she loved.
* * *
The pain had subsided a great deal in his in time in the void, as he called it. His confusion, however, had only increased as memories of things that he didn't know of whirled through his mind. Most, if not all, of them included her. He wasn't really upset about them, he just wanted to know how it was possible. As his mind labored to figure it out, a voice cut through the void.
"You will soon know the cause. Do not concern yourself with it. There are more pressing matters at hand."
"Who are you? What matters?" He asked.
"Who I am is of no importance. An ancient battle is soon to be engaged in once again."
"What battle? What are you talking about?"
"Your ancient enemies have resurfaced. You must fight them. The battle will soon be at hand."
"When? Who?"
"You will know when the time is right. But remember do not let Heaven's Priestess slip by. Do not lose her to your fear of opening your heart."
"Heaven's Priestess? How will I know her?"
"You will know her when you open your heart. And now it is time for you to leave the void."
The vast grayness around him began to fade. "Wait! What."
The void was gone before he could finish.
* * *
The sound of a groan drew Kagome from the balcony. She rushed to Yue's side as he began to stir. As always, her hand took hold of his. She began breathing easier than she had in the three days since he was wounded. As much as she disliked Clow Reed she was suddenly very grateful to him. She tenderly brushed a wisp of hair from his brow.
At the feel of someone touching his face, his return to consciousness ended and he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was her face. Her beautiful brown eyes were shining with happiness. His heart soared to see it. She smiled dazzlingly.
"Welcome back, Yue-san! You had me scared to death," she said.
"I apologize, Kagome-sama," he croaked. "I did not intend to cause you stress."
Her free hand touched his face. "Just don't ever do that again. I don't think I can handle you dying on me."
Yue smiled weakly. "I promise."
It was then that he noticed his surroundings. He was laying in a large, albeit comfortable, bed in a grandly decorated bedroom. With her help he struggled into a sitting position and looked around. All warmth within him fled when he recognized where he was. His face was harder, more rigid than usual as he turned to her.
"Why are we here?" He demanded.
Her smile faltered at his tone of voice. "I needed help to heal you. I didn't know how to heal magical beings."
"How could you bring me here of all places? You know what I went through."
"Yes, I do. I also know that you would have died otherwise."
"I never wanted to come back here," he growled.
"Believe me, if there had been any other option I would never have brought you here."
His face now revealed his anger and the betrayal he felt. "You had no right to bring me here without my knowledge or consent! Have you no heart?!"
Kagome looked as if she'd been slapped. Tears were brimming in her eyes. Her voice, however, was biting when she spoke. "I did it to save your life, you ungrateful bastard. Sakura wasn't around and I didn't know how to heal you. It was the only thing I could do. As for a heart, I most definitely have one. One that would have broken beyond any hope of repair if you had died."
She dropped the hand she had still been clutching throughout the whole exchange and left the room without a sound. She didn't burst into tears, she didn't stomp, she didn't even slam the door behind her. She simply left. Yue stared after her, his anger and betrayal forgotten for the moment at the shock of her words. A moment later two Keros came flying into the room and he thought for a second that the Dark Twin was back, but then he remembered the fact that the Cards didn't work on magical beings.
"Oi! Yue, what did you say to Kagome-chan? I haven't seen her so upset before."
"It is none of your concern, Keroberos. Do not worry about it."
They both shrugged. "Oh, well. Just so long as it's not because you're dead," the younger Kero said. "She was so upset we thought that was it."
"Isn't it great, Yue? The future Kero crowed. "Clow Reed's gonna help us with the Dark Card Mistress and Naraku."
The moon guardian didn't show his shock and horror. "We're staying here?"
Young Kero nodded. "Yup. Clow-sama is the best one to help since he knows the most about Clow Cards, Dark or otherwise."
"Well, see ya!" Future Kero said as they flew out the door. "There's a very large kitchen with our name on it."
Yue wasn't paying attention. He suddenly felt sick to his stomach at the idea of remaining in that castle. What had Kagome been thinking?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Shayril: Okies, people. Let me know what you think. Navi: It sucks. Shayril: Hey! Kagome: Sorry, Shayril. I'm gonna have to go with the fairy on this one. Shayril: (Disbelieving.) What?! Why? Kagome: 'Cause you made Yue get mad at me. Inuyasha: You know you could always get with me. Kagome: (Smacks his head.) Shut up! Shayril: This chapter does NOT suck. Kagome: As long as Yue's mad at me it does. Shayril: But he doesn't stay mad. It gets better in the next chapter. This one is just to build up to the point where you actually get together. Inuyasha: Damn! Kagome: (Smacks Inu's head again.) Shut up! Shayril: Anyway, it'd be boring if you guys just walked up to each other and said "Hey, I love you. Let's get together, okay?" Kagome: (Thoughtfully.) I guess you're right. Besides as long you put us together in the end what's it matter. Navi: Nooooo! You've turned her. Shayril: Ummm, yeah. About that, Kagome. Kagome: What? (Shayril flees without saying anything leaving a sign reminding everyone to review.)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Chapter Eleven - Unwanted Alliance
"Where are we anyway?" Kagome asked. "And where are they? We couldn't have been more than a day away from them."
"We passed the camp already." Yue told her.
She spun around to face him. "Nani?! When?"
"More than two hours ago."
She threw her hands up into the air. "Why didn't you say anything? And where are they?"
He shrugged slightly. "I do not know, but I sensed magic with the Dark Card Master's signature. I think he used a spell to more them."
"She," Kagome said absently, something was nagging at her. "The Dark Card Master is a female. The male presence was Naraku's. They're working together now."
"How can you tell?" He asked.
"I can sense the difference between a male presence and a female presence and after three years I know when Naraku is around. Since both of their presences are here it's logical to assume that they are working together. Either that or the Dark Mistress used Naraku's attack to her advantage."
"Where should we. Umph!"
H was cut off when she suddenly lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. A moment later he saw the dragon youkai from two days earlier swoop overhead. It shrieked in anger when it realized it had missed its target and swung around to make another pass. Kagome shifted on top of him to watch the youkai. Despite the danger they were in, Yue couldn't help the sudden desire that flared within him. Fortunately, Kagome was too distracted by the youkai to notice. The moment the beast was past them she leapt up and he felt suddenly bereft. He forced his thoughts of her to the back of his mind as he climbed to his feet.
Kagome tried not to think of the position she and Yue had just been in. She couldn't afford to be distracted right now. As the dragon youkai swung around, she cursed the fact that she didn't have her bow and arrows with her. Her scais wouldn't do much good against a flying demon. Yue fired an energy ball into the thing's face and readied another. There was nothing she could do except watch as the guardian battled with the demon.
He dodged out of the youkai's reach and threw another energy ball at the thing. His mind swam as her tried to figure out another way to fight it. The energy blasts weren't doing much damage. He rolled away from another swipe and came up hurling daggers of ice at it. It swiped most of them out of the air, but a couple of them managed to slice through its scales. Much better, Yue thought approvingly. After that the guardian began to gain the upper hand.
Kagome couldn't contain her shout of triumph as the tides of the battle turned in yue's favor. She wrung her hands in frustration at not being able to help. She also couldn't understand why the Dark Card Mistress and Naraku would send the youkai to capture her. Naraku hadn't shown any interest in her beyond the fact that she was Kikyou's reincarnation and she didn't even know whom the Dark Card Mistress was. All her thoughts froze where they were as she looked back to the fight and her blood ran cold.
"Yue, look out! Above you!"
His head snapped up at the girl's shouts. A curse flew from his lips as he dodged to the side just enough so that the youkai's bladed tail caught his shoulder instead of his heart. He cried out in pain as the dragon ripped its tail out of his shoulder. The guardian was so distracted by the pain that he didn't notice the claw dripping with poison until he felt it dig into his stomach before flinging him away.
Kagome's eyes were wide in horror as she saw the youkai fling Yue into a tree. She saw the guardian struggle to rise as the beast stalked towards him, but he was too weak. The dragon raised its poisonous claw to deal the finishing blow and a white-hot rage grew in her.
"NO!"
With her yell she threw her hand out and a sword of white flames appeared in her grasp. Howling a battle cry full of rage she charged at the youkai. It didn't even have a chance to move before she sliced through its wing. The young miko easily evaded its claws as she wove a dance of pain with her flame sword. Then, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Without looking she brought her sword up and caught the bladed tail before it could impale her side. The youkai pulled its tail back and swung it at her neck. Kagome ducked below the appendage while swinging her sword above her, amputating half of the tail. The dragon shrieked in pain and lunged at her, swinging its claws in a wild frenzy of rage and pain. The miko easily parried or avoided the blows. It was as if some ultimate warrior suddenly possessed her, but she knew she would soon tire. She wouldn't last too much longer. At that moment she caught sight of Yue slumped against the tree and she fought with renewed force.
Yue watched through heavy-lidded eyes as she fought the youkai. Her sword was a blur of light as she fended off its attacks. When Kagome had first attacked the youkai he had struggled to rise and go to her aid. Then he saw her sword and the ease with which she handled herself and let himself slump back against the tree. Now he struggled to remain conscious. When the demon tried to impale her with its tail, an icy hand had gripped his heart and refused to let go, even after she deflected the blow. It amazed him, the feelings this woman invoked in him after less than a month. His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of the dragon youkai leaping at Kagome with claws ready to rend her flesh from her bones. The icy hand around his heart threatened to squeeze the life from him.
The miko didn't even flinch as the demon leapt at her. Holding her ground until the last possible moment, she dropped below the dragon and stabbed upwards into its throat. Twisting her blade, she ripped it out through the side of the youkai's neck. It fell to the ground on its side, laboring to rise again as she approached. With one quick slash she finished decapitating the youkai. Not looking back, she spun around and raced to Yue's side, her sword of flames disappearing. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief when she found that he was still alive. barely. His white and silver robes were soaked in his blood and the tree he was slumped against would be stained forever more with that same blood. She touched his shoulder.
"Yue-san, hold on. I'm going to heal you now."
He nodded weakly. Kagome closed her eyes and gathered energy into her hands. Once the energy was pooled she opened her eyes and gently placed her hands over the guardian's wounds. She willed the power to enter his body and repair it. Nothing happened. Her magic remained pooled in her hands. She tried again and again there were no results. His violet eyes turned to look at her questioningly. They were dull with pain. The miko shook her head.
"Something's wrong. My magic won't heal you," she whispered.
"It must. be my guardian blood. Maybe you can't. heal me. because I'm not human," he suggested feebly.
She shook her head again. "That shouldn't matter. I've healed Inuyasha and Shippou before."
"Then. I guess. there's nothing you can. do. It's over. for me."
"No!" She cried desperately. "It can't be. You're too strong to die!"
He gave her a faint smile and took her hand in his. "I don't. have a choice. Arigato. for caring about. me."
"You're an easy person to care about, Yue-san." Her eyes were brimming with tears now.
His breathing was shallow and he fought to continue looking at her. He wanted the last thing he saw to be her face. It was never more apparent how much he loved her then at that moment. He ruthlessly pushed any ideas of her feelings for Inuyasha to the back of his mind. In his last moments he would pretend that Kagome loved him the same as he loved her. As his breaths slowed a realization came to him. She should know, he thought as he looked into her beautiful brown eyes.
"Kagome-sama." he choked out.
She placed her fingers over his lips. "Save your strength. I'll find a way to save you, Yue-san. Y. You can't die."
"I. have to." he stopped, too weak to speak.
Tears were sliding silently down her face as she gazed at him. He wanted to wipe them away. He hated seeing her cry. He mentally cursed himself for letting himself get wounded and causing her to cry. Rationally, he knew it wasn't his fault. He knew that he couldn't have prevented it, but he still felt rotten for being the reason for her tears.
Kagome clutched his hand tightly, as if she could keep him alive by mere force of will. Gods it hurt seeing him like that! Why did this have to be? She wanted to be with him. She wanted him to live. She wanted him to love her just as much as she loved him. She felt like her world was ending. His breathing was slowing and she could see that he was forcing himself to stay awake. Soon, though, his eyes began to slide closed.
"Kagome," he breathed just before losing consciousness.
"No! Yue-san, wake up! Wake up! Don't you dare leave me!" She cried desperately. "Yue! No, no, no, no. Hold on! Please, hold on."
She broke into sobs when he didn't respond. She felt as if she would never stop crying. She had never had a chance to tell him how she felt. She never knew how he felt about her.
* * *
They all froze at the sound of heart wrenching sobs coming from somewhere nearby. Looking around for the source, they realized it was coming from a clearing a little to the left of where they were. Upon reaching the clearing the trio discovered a shocking sight. A young woman with raven hair and the most unusual kimono knelt beside a body. Her entire being shook as she wept, nearby lat the remains of a dragon youkai. As unsettling as that might be, what shocked them was whose body the woman was weeping over.
"Excuse me."
He head snapped up at the voice. What could he be doing here? Oh no. Yue! He shouldn't see him. But there was nothing she could do now. Truth be told, she didn't want to do anything. She just wanted Yue back.
"Excuse me," he said again. "What happened here, child?"
Sighing, she understood that he wouldn't leave until he had answers. Kagome turned to face him and froze. She hadn't expected to see him standing there, too. Clow Reed stood at the edge of the clearing with a gentle look on his face. Sitting on his shoulder was Kero in his false form and there, standing just behind Clow Reed was Yue. He was healthy and strong with a look of shock and utter confusion. Gods, it hurt to see him there while crying over the dead body of his future self. She couldn't stop herself from bursting into sobs again at the sight of him.
Yue took an involuntary step forward when the girl burst into tears again. He was confused and shocked by the sight of what appeared to be an older version of himself. And now he felt the desire to comfort her. He couldn't understand why, but he hated seeing tears in her brown eyes. They had no place there. He wanted to wipe them away and hold her until she was happy again.
"Child?" Clow said gently.
Taking a deep breath she quietly told them of the battle with the youkai. As she spoke Clow moved to the older Yue's side. By the time she ended her story she was sobbing uncontrollably once again.
"Dry you tears, child. He still lives, barely. If we get him to my keep I can heal him."
Kagome shook her head forlornly. "It won't work. I've already tried healing him. It wouldn't work."
Clow Reed smiled kindly. "Ah, but I created him, so I know how to heal him. Besides, the only reason you couldn't heal him is because healing beings of magic is different from healing humans or even youkai. If there is a next time you could heal him after you learn how to heal magical beings. Now, let's get him to my keep."
Kagome suddenly remembered what she witnessed the night before and wasn't so sure she wanted to put Yue in Clow Reed's care again. She vacillated between her desire to keep Yue out of Clow's hands and her need to save him. In the end, however, need outweighed want. Reluctantly, she nodded and moved back so that the younger Yue could pick him up. She could see that he found it disconcerting, to say the least, to be carrying his own body. He seemed to be having trouble with the experience, as if he didn't really want to do it. Kagome stepped up beside him and rested her hand on his arm.
You don't have to carry him, she sent. I can do it.
He looked at her as if she had grown a second head, but put him down. She smiled at him and gave him a wink before stepping over to the future Yue's side. With practiced skill she cast a levitation spell on his body, grateful that he had taught her how to do it a few nights ago.
* * *
Kagome refused to leave Yue's side the whole time Clow Reed was tending to Yue. She may trust him enough to heal the guardian, but she didn't trust that he wouldn't do something else if she left him alone. Yue was free of Clow Reed and she would make sure he stayed that way. Besides, she didn't want to leave his side until he woke up. She sat next to his bed, clutching his hand like a lifeline.
* * *
He was lost. That was the only way he could think to explain it. He was literally in the middle of nowhere. It was a vast, gray emptiness that seemed to never end. He couldn't understand why he was here. Wasn't he supposed to be dead? Wasn't that why his entire body was in pain? No, not his entire body, he amended. He felt a small bit of relief spreading out from his hand. An anchor, a safe haven in all of the agony. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew what the source of this relief was, but he couldn't name it now. He was just too tired to bring it to mind. He didn't let it concern him too much. He knew he would figure it out eventually. Right now he just wanted to enjoy it.
* * *
"Tell me, Kagome-san, how is it possible that he is here? Why is he here?"
She gave the sorcerer a long look. "Obviously, you've figured out that he's from the future. Honestly, so am I. I travel through time to help the hanyou, Inuyasha, reassemble the Shikon no Tama and fight the evil hanyou, Naraku. Yue is only here for as long as it takes to defeat the Dark Card Mistress."
"What do you mean, 'Dark Card Mistress'? There are no Dark Cards."
"Someone has discovered how you created the Clow Cards and used that knowledge to create Dark Cards. She also discovered the way to the future and began causing trouble in my time. Yue's new master has come back through time with Yue and Kero to help defeat the Dark Cards."
Clow Reed sat back with a thoughtful look on his face. "So that's what has been causing trouble around here. I have been trying to discover the source." He looked up at her. "I would like to help you."
"I can't make that decision on my own. I have eight other people in my group. I'd have to discuss it with them first and I have no idea where they are. The Dark Mistress used magic to send them somewhere."
* * *
He bounded across the ground. His pace hadn't decreased since he started out. Kagome may be in love with Yue, but that didn't change the fact that Inuyasha loved her and needed to make sure she was safe. Everything else was forgotten in his desire to find Kagome. He didn't know if the others were following. He didn't know if he had left them behind. All he knew was that he had to find Kagome. Then, a familiar scent caught his attention and he skidded to a stop. The carcass of a decapitated dragon youkai with half a tail and mutilated wings lay in a heap in the middle of the clearing he was now in. Looking around, he spotted a tree that was stained with blood. Walking over, he crouched beside it and sniffed. It was Yue's blood and a lot of it. Kagome's scent lingered in the air mingled with the saltiness of her tears. It was obvious what had happened. Yue was badly wounded if not dead and Kagome, of course, would have cried over him.
Inuyasha rose and sniffed the air, looking for the direction she had gone in. when he found it a frown etched itself on his face. There were four scents with her. Yue's, which was tainted with blood, but didn't give the impression that he was dead. He was grateful for that for Kagome's sake. It was the other three scents that concerned him. There was one that he didn't recognize, a fact that put him on edge. He wouldn't have been too happy at that if not for the fact that he knew the remaining two scents. They confused the hell out of him, though. One of them smelled like Kero, but he was with Miroku, Sango, and the others. Wasn't he? And the other smelled like Yue except he was healthy and strong unlike the first Yue's scent. What's going on? His thoughts were interrupted when the rest of the group arrived in the clearing, Sango, Shippou, and Miroku on Kirara and Sakura on Kero in his true form. They all stopped dead at the sight of the dead youkai. Miroku let out a low whistle.
"Looks like Yue wasn't too happy with the youkai trying to take Kagome-sama," he observed.
Kero shook his head. "This isn't just Yue's work. He doesn't have the means to decapitate a dragon."
"Neither does Kagome-chan," Sakura pointed out.
"I don't know about that," Sango said. "Kagome-chan has done some amazing things with her powers."
"Yeah," Shippou chirped. "Oi! Inuyasha, why're you just standing there? Shouldn't we go after Kagome?"
The hanyou turned and pinned Kero with a look. "You've been with them this whole time, right?"
The guardian nodded. "Duh! Not that you've been paying attention."
Inuyasha frowned. "Then, why."
"What is wrong, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.
"Oi! Stuffed animal! Do you recognize any of the scents around her?" the hanyou asked, ignoring the houshi.
Bristling at being called at stuffed animal, especially since he was still in his true form, Kero obediently sniffed the air. His eyes widened at what he found.
"Clow Reed!" He started looking around.
"What?" Sakura's eyes looked as if they might fall out of her head. "You mean he was here? How is that possible?"
Kero swiped at his head. "Of course! Now I recognize this place. Clow kept a castle in Japan. It's about half a day away."
"Why would Kagome go with him?" Shippou asked.
"Because Yue is wounded and she probably doesn't know how to heal him."
Sakura nodded. "But Clow Reed does and she didn't know where we were."
"So let's go," Sango said. "Kero-chan can lead us to Clow's castle."
With a whoop they headed off after their lost friends.
* * *
She smoothed the hair from his brow. Even in sleep his face held no expression. At least, not to others. Somehow she could always read him. Right now his face was completely relaxed and he was at peace. An expression that would change drastically when he woke up to find himself in Clow Reed's castle once again. She hoped that he would understand. She wouldn't be able to stand having him resent her because of this. She was distracted from her thoughts by the sound of someone on the balcony. She frowned as she sensed the young Yue standing out there. She dropped a kiss on the future Yue's brow before crossing over to the balcony.
"Yue-san? Did you want something?"
He started at the sound of her voice and turned to face her. The look in his eyes was so sad that Kagome found herself taking a step towards him.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "And don't be like him. Don't tell me it's nothing. You can't hide your feelings like he does, yet."
Yue sighed. "This is the only place Clow-sama won't think to look for me."
She nodded knowingly. "You're free to stay as long as you feel you have to. I'm sure you find it difficult."
His eyes snapped to her face. "You know what I do?"
"What he makes you do? Hai, I know. Yue-san told me."
The young guardian's face fell. "You must be disgusted with me," he said, looking away.
Kagome stepped up to him and gently turned his head to look at her. "I'm not. You have no choice. Clow makes you do it. I know you don't enjoy it."
"I'm weak to let it happen. I'm not worthy of you kindness, Kagome- sama."
"You are not weak. You're one of the strongest people I know. And I decide who deserves my kindness. What he makes you do does not make who you are."
He slumped into one of the balcony chairs, an unusual sight for Kagome after spending time with the rigid, formal Yue from her time. He buried his face in his hands, his silver hair falling over his shoulder to hide his face even more. His shoulders were tense as he tried to fight his emotions.
"It's just. It hurts that he could make me. do that. He's like a father to me. He even acts like a father. But then. he. he grows." He trailed off.
Kagome wordlessly came up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He didn't do anything at first, but after a moment his hands rested on the arm across his chest and he leaned into her embrace. His eyes slid closed as he struggled to come to terms with his emotions.
Yue allowed himself the comfort of her embrace. It soothed his wounded soul. He was at peace with her near. For the first time he could remember, he was content. He could stay in her arms all day.
* * *
Pictures flew by him. Pictures of himself watching her as she sat by someone's bed, of her smiling at him when he brought her meals to her, and of her holding him, comforting him. But that wasn't right. These things never happened. He was sure of it. What was going on?
* * *
"Will you except Clow-sama's offer of help?" Yue asked after a while.
"I don't know. As I told him, I need to discuss it with my companions first. It's their decision, too," the miko answered. "Besides which, I don't know if I want to ally myself with him. He's a nice enough person but I don't know about working with someone who would do what he has to you; to him." She nodded towards the bedroom. "It's not right."
He looked at her seriously. "If he can help you then you should accept his assistance. I don't want you to reject a useful ally on my account. I'm sure my future self would feel the same."
Kagome held her tongue. She didn't want to tell him about the pain she had seen when Yue told her about what Clow Reed had done to him. As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't do anything that might change Yue's life any more than she already could have just by being in this castle. It might change who he was in her time and thus, her love for him. Something she definitely didn't want.
"I'll remember that when discussing it with the others. They don't know what he's done so they won't be biased."
They fell silent and stayed in that position, with her arms wrapped around his shoulders and him leaning with his head resting on her shoulder. It felt right, safe, as if they were meant to be like that. Kagome smiled sadly at the thought. If only the other one believed it, she thought.
I'm sure he does.
She looked down at the young guardian in surprise. You heard that?
He nodded. I'm the only one who did. I'm sure he feels the same as you.
Why would he?
Yue hesitated. Because I think I do.
Kagome blinked, a look of shock written across her face. Before she could respond another mind intruded.
Yue, I want you. Clow Reed said, not noticing that the miko was there. Come soon.
She felt the strength that he had drawn from her comfort begin to wane as he once again rested his head on her shoulder. She tightened her hold on him a moment. They knew what he wanted. Yue didn't want to go and she didn't want him to, but Clow was his master and he couldn't disobey him. So, reluctantly, the guardian gently pushed her back and stood, his face set as he turned to leave. Then, he turned back to her after a second thought, his face softening. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. It was a soft, tender kiss that he broke almost as soon as he did it.
"Arigato," he said softly before leaving.
Kagome watched him as he flew a moment, her fingers resting on her lips and a small smile on her face. Then, she returned to the bedside of the wounded Yue. She looked at him thoughtfully. I wonder if he could ever let go of his emotions like that again.
* * *
"Kagome!"
The shout immediately snapped her out of her sleep. Blearily she looked around, wiping the sleep from her eyes. There was some sort of commotion in the courtyard below her window. The raised voices of Inuyasha and Kero were clearly heard above it all. She quickly made sure that Yue was still asleep before storming out onto the balcony, making sure to close the door.
"Inuyasha, lower you voice!" She hissed at the figure below, knowing he'd hear her. "Yue is resting."
The hanyou had shut up the moment she appeared above. Now he leapt up to the balcony she stood on and looked her over for any wounds. When he was satisfied that all she had were a few scratches he peered at her.
"Are you all right? What happened?" he asked.
"After Yue rescued me from the youkai we came looking for you and discovered that the Dark Card Mistress had sent you somewhere. The youkai came back for us and Yue fought it by himself because I didn't have my bow and couldn't use my scais against the thing. Then, he got wounded, almost killed."
"He killed the youkai first, didn't he?" Sango asked as the rest of the group arrived in the room and came out to join them.
She shook her head. "I killed it."
"What? How?"
Kagome shrugged. "I don't really know. I just got so mad when it almost killed Yue that this sword made of white flames appeared in my hand. I killed it with that."
"White flames?" Miroku asked.
"Yup. Don't ask me where it came from 'cause I don't know. I threw my hand out to throw an energy blast at it and the sword just appeared."
"That's interesting," a new voice said. "You didn't mention that when you told me your story."
Kagome leveled a cool look at Clow Reed. "Some things are best left unsaid when speaking with strangers."
"Kagome-chan, he's Clow Reed," Sakura said. "You can trust him."
The miko snorted as the sorcerer turned to the sorceress. "You must be the Card Mistress that came with Kagome-san from the future."
Sakura blushed. "Hai, Clow-sama."
Kagome bristled at hearing her friend use the title. She was Clow's equal.
"Excuse me," she said through gritted teeth. "I need to see to Yue- san. His bandages need changing."
No one saw Inuyasha's sad look as he watched her tenderly care for the wounded guardian. He could see the love in her eyes when she looked at him. Even after hearing Sakure and Kero's conversation the other day a small spark of hope had remained. He had refused to let it die. Now it had been smothered, too. He truly had lost her. He could feel his heart break. If he were to feel the pain of all the wounds he had ever suffered at the exact same time it would hurt less.
Sakura noticed the pain in the hanyou's eyes as he watched Kagome. It seemed he knew that she was in love with the guardian. She felt bad for her friend. She couldn't even imagine what it would feel like to be in love with someone who was in love with another. She hoped he would one day be able to move on. It would be unbearably sad if he wasted away because he lost Kagome. She was brought out of her reverie by Clow Reed.
"I would like to hear all about your experiences as the Card Mistress," he said. "However, it is quite late and I'm sure you are all exhausted. I'll show you where you can sleep."
'I'm gonna sleep in Kagome's room," Shippou chirped. "Where is it?"
"This is Kagome-san's room," Clow replied as they filed out of the room.
They didn't realize Inuyasha had frozen in his spot at the words. Kagome shared a room with Yue! Oh gods, it was too much! Why? Why couldn't she wait for me a little longer? He asked himself. Why couldn't I have come to my senses sooner? He glanced forlornly back at the woman who didn't love him in return anymore. With a heavy sigh, he left the room and hurried to catch up with the others.
* * *
"Damn! Damn! Damn! They weren't supposed to be reunited yet."
"They weren't supposed to be reunited at all," the Dark Mistress growled. "That dragon of yours was supposed to kill the guardian causing the miko to make a suicide attack on it."
Naraku arched an amused eyebrow at her. "Did you honestly expect that to work? She is a miko. Her sort aren't as weak-willed as that. I must say, though, I didn't expect that. I was expecting a huge blast of latent energy incinerating the beast. Instead, she mutilated it with a sword of flame." His gaze hardened. "I want to know how she did it. That is not something a miko should be able to do."
"No one should be able to do that. No sorcerer, witch, priest, or angel should be able to do that," she told him. "This girl is no ordinary miko."
He glared at her. "I know that. It's obvious from the fact that she carried the Shikon no Tama within her body. I wonder what the extent of her powers are."
She looked at him suspiciously. "What are you planning?"
There was a glint in his eye that she didn't like. Yet, it excited her at the same time. The pure evil she saw there had her forcing her body not to react in pleasure.
"We saw the results when her beloved was merely wounded. Now let us see what his death would do to her."
It was like a cold shower. "Are you insane? The one thing you don't want to do is face her at her full power."
He waved her warning away. "Of course I do. I want to know the true power of my enemy."
"I'm telling you, Naraku, you will not be safe if you awaken all her powers. She would raze this castle to the ground around you. And I personally don't want to rebuild it. You and all your minions will be food for whatever scavengers will eat you."
The evil hanyou wasn't listening as he left the chambers. "Nonsense. I have most of the Shikon no Tama. There is no way she can touch me."
She let loose a sting of expletives as she spun back to her magic mirror. That idiot had no idea what he was getting himself into. She only had an inkling of the damage the girl could do. She was fairly certain she knew what and who the girl was. If she was right then anyone with a brain would steer clear of her when Naraku carried out his plan. The Dark Mistress certainly didn't want to face the miko's wrath upon the death of the one she loved.
* * *
The pain had subsided a great deal in his in time in the void, as he called it. His confusion, however, had only increased as memories of things that he didn't know of whirled through his mind. Most, if not all, of them included her. He wasn't really upset about them, he just wanted to know how it was possible. As his mind labored to figure it out, a voice cut through the void.
"You will soon know the cause. Do not concern yourself with it. There are more pressing matters at hand."
"Who are you? What matters?" He asked.
"Who I am is of no importance. An ancient battle is soon to be engaged in once again."
"What battle? What are you talking about?"
"Your ancient enemies have resurfaced. You must fight them. The battle will soon be at hand."
"When? Who?"
"You will know when the time is right. But remember do not let Heaven's Priestess slip by. Do not lose her to your fear of opening your heart."
"Heaven's Priestess? How will I know her?"
"You will know her when you open your heart. And now it is time for you to leave the void."
The vast grayness around him began to fade. "Wait! What."
The void was gone before he could finish.
* * *
The sound of a groan drew Kagome from the balcony. She rushed to Yue's side as he began to stir. As always, her hand took hold of his. She began breathing easier than she had in the three days since he was wounded. As much as she disliked Clow Reed she was suddenly very grateful to him. She tenderly brushed a wisp of hair from his brow.
At the feel of someone touching his face, his return to consciousness ended and he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was her face. Her beautiful brown eyes were shining with happiness. His heart soared to see it. She smiled dazzlingly.
"Welcome back, Yue-san! You had me scared to death," she said.
"I apologize, Kagome-sama," he croaked. "I did not intend to cause you stress."
Her free hand touched his face. "Just don't ever do that again. I don't think I can handle you dying on me."
Yue smiled weakly. "I promise."
It was then that he noticed his surroundings. He was laying in a large, albeit comfortable, bed in a grandly decorated bedroom. With her help he struggled into a sitting position and looked around. All warmth within him fled when he recognized where he was. His face was harder, more rigid than usual as he turned to her.
"Why are we here?" He demanded.
Her smile faltered at his tone of voice. "I needed help to heal you. I didn't know how to heal magical beings."
"How could you bring me here of all places? You know what I went through."
"Yes, I do. I also know that you would have died otherwise."
"I never wanted to come back here," he growled.
"Believe me, if there had been any other option I would never have brought you here."
His face now revealed his anger and the betrayal he felt. "You had no right to bring me here without my knowledge or consent! Have you no heart?!"
Kagome looked as if she'd been slapped. Tears were brimming in her eyes. Her voice, however, was biting when she spoke. "I did it to save your life, you ungrateful bastard. Sakura wasn't around and I didn't know how to heal you. It was the only thing I could do. As for a heart, I most definitely have one. One that would have broken beyond any hope of repair if you had died."
She dropped the hand she had still been clutching throughout the whole exchange and left the room without a sound. She didn't burst into tears, she didn't stomp, she didn't even slam the door behind her. She simply left. Yue stared after her, his anger and betrayal forgotten for the moment at the shock of her words. A moment later two Keros came flying into the room and he thought for a second that the Dark Twin was back, but then he remembered the fact that the Cards didn't work on magical beings.
"Oi! Yue, what did you say to Kagome-chan? I haven't seen her so upset before."
"It is none of your concern, Keroberos. Do not worry about it."
They both shrugged. "Oh, well. Just so long as it's not because you're dead," the younger Kero said. "She was so upset we thought that was it."
"Isn't it great, Yue? The future Kero crowed. "Clow Reed's gonna help us with the Dark Card Mistress and Naraku."
The moon guardian didn't show his shock and horror. "We're staying here?"
Young Kero nodded. "Yup. Clow-sama is the best one to help since he knows the most about Clow Cards, Dark or otherwise."
"Well, see ya!" Future Kero said as they flew out the door. "There's a very large kitchen with our name on it."
Yue wasn't paying attention. He suddenly felt sick to his stomach at the idea of remaining in that castle. What had Kagome been thinking?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Shayril: Okies, people. Let me know what you think. Navi: It sucks. Shayril: Hey! Kagome: Sorry, Shayril. I'm gonna have to go with the fairy on this one. Shayril: (Disbelieving.) What?! Why? Kagome: 'Cause you made Yue get mad at me. Inuyasha: You know you could always get with me. Kagome: (Smacks his head.) Shut up! Shayril: This chapter does NOT suck. Kagome: As long as Yue's mad at me it does. Shayril: But he doesn't stay mad. It gets better in the next chapter. This one is just to build up to the point where you actually get together. Inuyasha: Damn! Kagome: (Smacks Inu's head again.) Shut up! Shayril: Anyway, it'd be boring if you guys just walked up to each other and said "Hey, I love you. Let's get together, okay?" Kagome: (Thoughtfully.) I guess you're right. Besides as long you put us together in the end what's it matter. Navi: Nooooo! You've turned her. Shayril: Ummm, yeah. About that, Kagome. Kagome: What? (Shayril flees without saying anything leaving a sign reminding everyone to review.)