Shayril: Well, now that midterms are over I've been able to finish the new
chapter.
Inuyasha: Well, it's about time. You're taking too long to get to the
sequel and my girlfriend.
Shayril: Oh hush. Patience is a virtue.
Aliri: I don't think he knows the meaning of the word.
(Door bursts open and a very exhausted looking Navi enters with a baby on
each arm Dragonwing enters behind her carrying the third baby.)
Shayril: Where've you guys been?
Navi: Everywhere. The store, the dry cleaners, the bank. I need a break.
Dragonwing: You did have a break. When I brought the girls to my parents'
place.
Aliri: If you weren't ready for it you shouldn't have become a mother.
Navi: I was ready to be a mother, just not of three at the exact same time.
Shayril: You'll get the hang of it. But for now, it's time to get to the
chapter. By the way, eventually I'm going to get around to doing a little
re-editing for this story to make up for the fact that I don't know how to
post it with italics.
^ Flashback italics^
~ Thought italics ~
Chapter Twenty-Three - Unpleasant Memories
Yue unknowingly kicked the blankets off the bed. His sleeping eyes moved rapidly behind his closed eyelids and his brow was furrowed as a small groan escaped him. His skin was covered in a light sheen of sweat and his hands clenched in the bed sheets. Suddenly, he bolted upright, gasping for breath. His heart raced as he looked at the sleeping figure beside him. His nightmare played through his mind again and he knew it was more than some night terror, it was a memory. He laid down again, wrapping his arms around her protectively and pulled her close. But he did not sleep.
* * *
"Koi, is something wrong?" Kagome asked the quiet Yue.
He shook his head. "I'm just thinking about the final battle."
"Well, don't," she told him. "There's time enough for that. Today is a day of relaxation. No one is allowed to think about the final battle today."
He managed a weak smile. "I'll try not to, dearest." ~ But it's hard not thinking about the day I'm going to lose you. ~ He thought.
Ever since his dream the memories kept replaying. His heart broke every time he saw it. The image of her broken, battered body was etched into his mind and it refused to go away. After much inner turmoil he did manage to suppress it somewhat as Kagome grabbed his hand and dragged him over to play with Shippou and Rin. For a time he allowed himself to be distracted.
* * *
Kagome watched Yue with concern as he ate his lunch. He had been distant and melancholy all day, an uncommon occurrence since his past and future selves had merged. She knew it had something to do with the final battle. She didn't understand it. He had been so confident that they would win, now he didn't seem so sure. She wished he would talk to her about it.
* * *
^ Stones fell in a cloud of dust and debris. The very air shook with the collapse of the castle. Immediately the knowledge that she was still inside registered in his mind. ^
Yue shook his head, trying to dispel the image. It would not happen this time. It couldn't happen. Not when they only just found each other again after so many millennia. Not ever. He needed her. He wasn't complete without her. Pulling out of his thoughts, he reached over and took her hand as they watched the castle children attempt to put on a show for everyone. She looked at him and smiled before turning back to the show. Another memory flashed in his mind. The memory of the last day of their other lives.
* * *
^ They sat in the balcony reserved for them as they watched the tale of Psyche and Eros played out on the stage. The subjects of the play sat in the balcony across from them. Reminiscent smiles were on their faces and Psyche cuddled against Eros as they watched their story. The romance of it was not lost on Yue. He himself was remembering his courtship of Kagome. Even after so many years he couldn't believe she had consented to be his. In his eyes he wasn't nearly good enough to be with her, but by some miracle he was to her. He reached over and took her hand. She looked at him and smiled before turning back to the play, squeezing his hand gently.
The play was just reaching the climax when the back wall of the theatre exploded towards the stage. The actors and stage crew scurried out of the way as large chunks of the wall flew towards them. As the cloud of dust and debris settled they saw Kado standing in all his evil glory. Kagome and Yue jumped to their feet, their wings bursting from their backs as they flew at their enemy.
"Everyone out!" she shouted.
The couple landed on the stage as Mari appeared next to Kado. Not a word was spoken as Kado launched the first attack. The battle was gradually guided out of the theatre and into the air above the city. People peeked out of windows and stopped in the middle of the streets to watch. None dared try to approach the combatants. The battle lasted for hours, no one truly gaining the upper hand. Then, both sides let out their most powerful spell. They slammed together in the air sending a shock wave rippling through the air for miles as the blast shook the entire Sky Kingdom. Everyone held their breath as the air cleared. A collective gasp ran through the crowd at the sight of their rulers' battered bodies plummeting to the ground, their tattered wings feebly trying to slow their descent.
They landed within feet of each other and clawed their way across the ground to wrap their arms around the one they loved. Content smiles played on their lips as they gently lay in each other's arms. ^
* * *
Yue shook himself out of the memory just as the children finished their little production. Proud parents clapped happily for the beaming children. He went along with them although he hadn't really seen anything. As the young thespians started cleaning up after themselves, Yue excused himself and quickly flew away, leaving a bewildered Kagome.
* * *
When Kagome turned in for the night she was surprised and worried when she didn't find Yue in their chambers. He had been acting strange and distant all day. She didn't like it. It scared her. He had never acted that way before. With a sigh, she changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed.
She had just fallen into a light sleep when a loud noise made her eyes snap opens. She sat up and looked around.
"Yue?" She said sleepily.
"I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to wake you," his voice said quietly.
She saw him in the moonlight as he approached her. He slid into bed next to her and pulled her close. She willingly rested her head on his chest as they laid down. His heart beat steadily in her ear, lulling her to sleep.
* * *
She was awakened again by the sound of him groaning and mumbling in his sleep. She gently shook his shoulder, trying to get him to wake up. He pulled away from her hand, too caught up in his nightmare to notice anything else. She shook him a little harder. No matter what she did she couldn't get him to wake up. Suddenly he bolted upright, a wordless shout escaping his lips. He panted for breath as she tenderly pulled him into an embrace murmuring meaningless words of comfort. Gradually his breathing evened out and he stopped trembling.
Yue pulled back from the comforting embrace and looked at the woman he loved. His hand came up and he carefully traced her lovely face with a finger, assuring himself that she was truly there. The nightmare was still vividly playing in his mind. He slowly leaned down and kissed her deeply. His left hand traveled down to settle on her thigh.
The moment she felt his hand on her thigh Kagome knew what was about to happen. She slowly pulled back to look at him.
"This is my first time, koishii."
He nodded his understanding before pulling her into another kiss, his hand caressed her thigh through the light material of her nightgown. After a little while she grew bold enough to slide her hands under his shirt and run them over his smooth skin. His lips traveled down to her collarbone as his free hand undid the laces of her nightgown. After a moment she went to work on the ties of his own clothes. When they were finally free of the cloth that hindered them, they hungrily touched and caressed the bare skin presented to them. They could both feel something building in them. Something glorious.
When they could stand it no longer, Yue settled between her legs and she could feel his shaft probing at her entrance. Slowly he entered her until he came upon the proof of her innocence. He captured her lips with his and swallowed her whimpers of pain as he pulled back slightly before thrusting up to the hilt. Gradually she adjusted to the feeling of him inside her and they began a rhythm as old as time. They came together, calling each other's names.
He rolled them to the side so that he didn't collapse on top of her. Both of them worked to catch their breath as they held each other close. After they'd rested a moment they found their hands exploring again and they made love until they were too exhausted to move and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Shayril: Well, what do you think? Hope you like it. Kagome: I did. Navi: We know you did. So did Mister Freeze over there. Kagome: Hey, Yue isn't Mister Freeze. You know that. Yue: Thank you, koishii. (He pulls her close and buries his face in her hair.) Shayril: (Sighs dreamily) It would be wonderful if I had someone like that. Inuyasha: Feh! Love, who needs it! Aliri: Look who's talking Mr. When Am I Gonna Get My Girlfriend. Inuyasha: (Sputters) Well. It's not. I. Shayril: (Snickers) She got you there. Well, read and review people. I gotta go.
Chapter Twenty-Three - Unpleasant Memories
Yue unknowingly kicked the blankets off the bed. His sleeping eyes moved rapidly behind his closed eyelids and his brow was furrowed as a small groan escaped him. His skin was covered in a light sheen of sweat and his hands clenched in the bed sheets. Suddenly, he bolted upright, gasping for breath. His heart raced as he looked at the sleeping figure beside him. His nightmare played through his mind again and he knew it was more than some night terror, it was a memory. He laid down again, wrapping his arms around her protectively and pulled her close. But he did not sleep.
* * *
"Koi, is something wrong?" Kagome asked the quiet Yue.
He shook his head. "I'm just thinking about the final battle."
"Well, don't," she told him. "There's time enough for that. Today is a day of relaxation. No one is allowed to think about the final battle today."
He managed a weak smile. "I'll try not to, dearest." ~ But it's hard not thinking about the day I'm going to lose you. ~ He thought.
Ever since his dream the memories kept replaying. His heart broke every time he saw it. The image of her broken, battered body was etched into his mind and it refused to go away. After much inner turmoil he did manage to suppress it somewhat as Kagome grabbed his hand and dragged him over to play with Shippou and Rin. For a time he allowed himself to be distracted.
* * *
Kagome watched Yue with concern as he ate his lunch. He had been distant and melancholy all day, an uncommon occurrence since his past and future selves had merged. She knew it had something to do with the final battle. She didn't understand it. He had been so confident that they would win, now he didn't seem so sure. She wished he would talk to her about it.
* * *
^ Stones fell in a cloud of dust and debris. The very air shook with the collapse of the castle. Immediately the knowledge that she was still inside registered in his mind. ^
Yue shook his head, trying to dispel the image. It would not happen this time. It couldn't happen. Not when they only just found each other again after so many millennia. Not ever. He needed her. He wasn't complete without her. Pulling out of his thoughts, he reached over and took her hand as they watched the castle children attempt to put on a show for everyone. She looked at him and smiled before turning back to the show. Another memory flashed in his mind. The memory of the last day of their other lives.
* * *
^ They sat in the balcony reserved for them as they watched the tale of Psyche and Eros played out on the stage. The subjects of the play sat in the balcony across from them. Reminiscent smiles were on their faces and Psyche cuddled against Eros as they watched their story. The romance of it was not lost on Yue. He himself was remembering his courtship of Kagome. Even after so many years he couldn't believe she had consented to be his. In his eyes he wasn't nearly good enough to be with her, but by some miracle he was to her. He reached over and took her hand. She looked at him and smiled before turning back to the play, squeezing his hand gently.
The play was just reaching the climax when the back wall of the theatre exploded towards the stage. The actors and stage crew scurried out of the way as large chunks of the wall flew towards them. As the cloud of dust and debris settled they saw Kado standing in all his evil glory. Kagome and Yue jumped to their feet, their wings bursting from their backs as they flew at their enemy.
"Everyone out!" she shouted.
The couple landed on the stage as Mari appeared next to Kado. Not a word was spoken as Kado launched the first attack. The battle was gradually guided out of the theatre and into the air above the city. People peeked out of windows and stopped in the middle of the streets to watch. None dared try to approach the combatants. The battle lasted for hours, no one truly gaining the upper hand. Then, both sides let out their most powerful spell. They slammed together in the air sending a shock wave rippling through the air for miles as the blast shook the entire Sky Kingdom. Everyone held their breath as the air cleared. A collective gasp ran through the crowd at the sight of their rulers' battered bodies plummeting to the ground, their tattered wings feebly trying to slow their descent.
They landed within feet of each other and clawed their way across the ground to wrap their arms around the one they loved. Content smiles played on their lips as they gently lay in each other's arms. ^
* * *
Yue shook himself out of the memory just as the children finished their little production. Proud parents clapped happily for the beaming children. He went along with them although he hadn't really seen anything. As the young thespians started cleaning up after themselves, Yue excused himself and quickly flew away, leaving a bewildered Kagome.
* * *
When Kagome turned in for the night she was surprised and worried when she didn't find Yue in their chambers. He had been acting strange and distant all day. She didn't like it. It scared her. He had never acted that way before. With a sigh, she changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed.
She had just fallen into a light sleep when a loud noise made her eyes snap opens. She sat up and looked around.
"Yue?" She said sleepily.
"I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to wake you," his voice said quietly.
She saw him in the moonlight as he approached her. He slid into bed next to her and pulled her close. She willingly rested her head on his chest as they laid down. His heart beat steadily in her ear, lulling her to sleep.
* * *
She was awakened again by the sound of him groaning and mumbling in his sleep. She gently shook his shoulder, trying to get him to wake up. He pulled away from her hand, too caught up in his nightmare to notice anything else. She shook him a little harder. No matter what she did she couldn't get him to wake up. Suddenly he bolted upright, a wordless shout escaping his lips. He panted for breath as she tenderly pulled him into an embrace murmuring meaningless words of comfort. Gradually his breathing evened out and he stopped trembling.
Yue pulled back from the comforting embrace and looked at the woman he loved. His hand came up and he carefully traced her lovely face with a finger, assuring himself that she was truly there. The nightmare was still vividly playing in his mind. He slowly leaned down and kissed her deeply. His left hand traveled down to settle on her thigh.
The moment she felt his hand on her thigh Kagome knew what was about to happen. She slowly pulled back to look at him.
"This is my first time, koishii."
He nodded his understanding before pulling her into another kiss, his hand caressed her thigh through the light material of her nightgown. After a little while she grew bold enough to slide her hands under his shirt and run them over his smooth skin. His lips traveled down to her collarbone as his free hand undid the laces of her nightgown. After a moment she went to work on the ties of his own clothes. When they were finally free of the cloth that hindered them, they hungrily touched and caressed the bare skin presented to them. They could both feel something building in them. Something glorious.
When they could stand it no longer, Yue settled between her legs and she could feel his shaft probing at her entrance. Slowly he entered her until he came upon the proof of her innocence. He captured her lips with his and swallowed her whimpers of pain as he pulled back slightly before thrusting up to the hilt. Gradually she adjusted to the feeling of him inside her and they began a rhythm as old as time. They came together, calling each other's names.
He rolled them to the side so that he didn't collapse on top of her. Both of them worked to catch their breath as they held each other close. After they'd rested a moment they found their hands exploring again and they made love until they were too exhausted to move and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Shayril: Well, what do you think? Hope you like it. Kagome: I did. Navi: We know you did. So did Mister Freeze over there. Kagome: Hey, Yue isn't Mister Freeze. You know that. Yue: Thank you, koishii. (He pulls her close and buries his face in her hair.) Shayril: (Sighs dreamily) It would be wonderful if I had someone like that. Inuyasha: Feh! Love, who needs it! Aliri: Look who's talking Mr. When Am I Gonna Get My Girlfriend. Inuyasha: (Sputters) Well. It's not. I. Shayril: (Snickers) She got you there. Well, read and review people. I gotta go.