::Sobs:: I'm so, so sorry! I hate myself!! I know, I'm such a bad author!! ::Cries::
But... please forgive me anyway!! And please, try not to kill me... because eventually, I will finish this story (and all my other ones)! Eventually.
I do have a good reason though. I've got a lot of homework. -.-; In my opinion, it's a total shitload (it probably is, to other people as well... lazy people, anyway). I have no idea how I'm going to survive later on in the year, but... wish me luck! But it's a really good school, and the people there are really nice (the History teacher has a really short temper, though), and... yeah!
Anyway... two people pointed out that adding author's notes as an entry was not allowed.
I know.
However, I think there was a little confusion. An 'entry' is a whole new story type of thing. They don't mean a single chapter OF a story. Posting an A/N as a chapter isn't prohibited. Either way, I'll just delete the A/N after I post this... better safe than sorry. :)
Everything ok there?
And yes, someone said my author's notes at the beginning and end of the story are too long... I know, I know... I try to make them shorter, I really do... but there's a lot that needs to be said! And don't just tell me to write longer chapters, because I can't do that. I'd lose interest in the story, and updates could take up to several months. I don't think you want that.
Now, I got this review... I don't think this person was trying to flame me or anything, but I was rather offended by the review:
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU ARE SO EVIL! HOW CAN YOU JUST LEAVIT, RIGHT THERE! JUST FOR THE RECORD THE CLIFFIES ARE GETTIN' OLD! UPDATE VERY, VERY, VERY SOON, AND I JUST MIGHT FORGIVE YOU. AND YOU HAD BETTER OBEY ME! I'M THE GODDESS OF THE MOON HERE! AND IF YOU DON'T REVIEW... ::BOW DRAWS BOW, RELEASES ARROW, THUD:: GETTING A MENTAL PICTURE? SO SAVE US BOTH THE TROUBLE AND JUST UPDATE REALLY SOON. OK?
Yeah... Umm... I'm glad this person likes my story, but... the all-caps was pretty annoying. I mean, IF SOMEONE ALWAYS TYPED LIKE THIS, DON'T YOU THINK IT WOULD PISS YOU OFF? It sure pisses me off. Secondly, I am aware that the cliffhangers are getting old, but I just explained why I use them in the last chapter!! And I don't see how if I updated, this person would forgive me. What did I do wrong? I apologize, I'm probably being mean right now, but keep in mind that I have a life!!! As much as I would want it to, my life does not revolve around my computer 24/7. Authors put in a lot of effort to please themselves and their readers. Please, appreciate it. Heaven knows that I could save my own time and energy if I just gave up on fanfiction. But, since I love all you people out there, I keep writing.
Now, after that really, really long A/N (sorry!), I present to you: the actual twelfth chapter!!
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Disclaimer: Nope.
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Trust and Betrayal
Chapter Twelve: Her True Colours
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"You sure were gone for a long time," Kagura drawled when Sesshoumaru entered the palace.
"That is the welcome back I get?" Sesshoumaru asked, arching an eyebrow.
Kagura smirked and rolled her eyes. "Anyway... how'd it go?"
Sesshoumaru sat down on the cushioned floor. A maid came in and brought tea. With practiced grace, she set down two teacups, filling both cups. Then, she left, closing the sliding door gently as she did.
"Well, my pathetic brother definitely is with that dead miko Kikyo. Hopefully he will be thinking about what I told him... but then again, he is quite idiotic... even very obvious, straightforward hints he might not understand." Sesshoumaru said as he sipped his green tea.
Kagura nodded, taking a sip of her tea and finding it too hot.
"Of course, other than that, Jaken was a twit and Rin was hungry."
"Oh, stop complaining. You were the only one that could have gone, anyway. I mean, wouldn't you think it'd be strange if I went and told Inu-Yasha?"
"We could have done nothing at all, as it is none of our business."
"Hey! It's not my fault I hear almost everything that gets carried on the breeze!! And besides, I find it rather amusing to see this unfold" Kagura trailed off and leaned against Sesshoumaru.
"I am quite sure they are more amusing things to do."
A brief silence passed.
"...you're right! Let's spar!"
Sesshoumaru looked at his wife strangely.
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"...I cannot believe we have to do this."
"It's entirely your fault!!"
"My fault?! It's you who wanted to spy on them!"
"Yeah right!! You're the one who dragged me into it! Now look what you've gotten us into!"
"Yes!! Yes, look at what you've got us into!"
"Not me! You!"
"Exactly! You!! It's because of you we have to lip-sync that... song!!"
"...what's the song called, anyway?"
"Umm... I'm not sure."
"Alright, guys!!" Kagome's voice suddenly rang out. All the wolves, male and female, were gathered outside. From her backpack, she extracted a portable boombox, and two sheets of paper.
Walking up to Tanoshii and Kushi, she handed each one of the papers.
"Here're the lyrics to the song."
"Lyrics?"
"The words."
"Oh..."
"Wherever, Whenever by..."
"Sha-kee-ra?"
"Shakira. This song is... well known in my time." Kagome explained. "Just... mouth the lyrics along"
And with that, Kagome started the music
...let the embarrassment unfold.
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"Our punishment is over, right?" Tanoshii asked, still red in the cheeks.
Kagome grinned as much more evil ideas ran through her head. "Maybe"
Kushi buried her face in her hands. "Gods, no"
"I could make you dance too... or I could-- "
Tanoshii's eyes widened. "No!!"
Kouga chuckled.
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"No, Kikyo... I'm tired."
"But we have to keep going! We're almost at the village--"
"NO!! I said no!"
"Don't yell at me!" Kikyo spat.
"Then why are you yelling at me?!" Inu-Yasha roared back.
The two had been traveling in silence after the encounter with Sesshoumaru. Inu-Yasha had been pondering over what Sesshoumaru had said. Just what had Sesshoumaru been trying to say? And since when did he start popping up and delivering confusing messages? Inu-Yasha was indeed, confused... and worried, to say the least.
"Gods, I've had enough of your bitching!" Inu-Yasha muttered as he suddenly jumped up and leapt away, ignoring Kikyo's shouts for him to get back.
Rapidly, he raced through the forest. Over the treetops, the leaves and branches of one tree stood out: Goshinboku. Kaede's village was near
Deciding he'd pay the old woman a visit, Inu-Yasha turned sharply. Heaven knows he'd rather have the old woman's company than Kikyo's right now
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"Inu-Yasha?" Kaede stared at the hanyou with surprised eyes.
"Keh... yeah, it's me." Inu-Yasha scoffed, rolling his eyes and plopping down onto the floor.
"What brings you here? Are the rest not with you?"
"...Kikyo drove them away."
Kaede suddenly grew silent. She set down the cup of tea she had been sipping.
"And you did not?"
Inu-Yasha turned to Kaede sharply. "What? What did you say?"
The aged miko gazed at him, her wisdom shining through plainly and honestly. "And you did not? I'm sure you are at fault as well."
The half dog demon said nothing.
"Let me tell you something, Inu-Yasha. One who truly loves another will give them everything they have, and expect nothing in return."
Inu-Yasha didn't see how that connected with anyway, but he stared at the floor. '...expect nothing in return?'
"Only true love is selfless, Inu-Yasha. If you truly do love someone, you will suffer any amount of pain for them. Love is an undying emotion"
'Undying emotion...? Only true love is selfless...?' Inu-Yasha thought. His eyes widened as Kagome's image appeared before him.
"Ugh!!" Inu-Yasha stumbled back.
Kaede looked at him curiously. "What is the matter?"
"I... I swear I just saw Kagome!!"
"...you must be hallucinating. Perhaps you have a fever...?"
"I am not sick!" Inu-Yasha barked at Kaede.
The miko said nothing, only picked up her tea and sipped it. Then she brought it down slightly. "Indeed, you are not... your soul may be trying to tell you something. Perhaps you should go and find Kagome...?"
He got up quickly and silently, heading out the door.
"But remember this Inu-Yasha... no matter what, Kikyo is not what she used to be."
Inu-Yasha stood rigid.
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Kikyo smirked as she made her way to Kaede's hut. Inu-Yasha was obviously there.
"Today, I will get my revenge, Inu-Yasha..."
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The two stayed in silence.
"I know," Inu-Yasha finally spoke. "I know."
Suddenly, Kikyo burst through the door-flap.
"Inu-Yasha... I'd like to speak to you in person." She beckoned for him to follow. At first, he did not move, but turned his head to Kaede. The old woman merely sipped her tea.
Finally, Inu-Yasha went with her, but kept is guard up, keeping Kaede's advice in mind. 'Kikyo is not what she used to be.'
They made their way through the forest, until they reached Goshinboku. Inu-Yasha gazed up at the leafy branches. So many memories... so much had happened... right here... at the Goshinboku
"Inu-Yasha... I'd... like to say that I'm sorry" Kikyo began.
The half-demon was so shocked that these words were coming out of her lips, that he didn't notice her grip on her bow.
"I'm sorry that..."
Suddenly, Kikyo drew an arrow and pointed it at Inu-Yasha.
"I'm sorry that I never killed you earlier!!"
She spat the words out, full of anger and hatred. Her expression was one of rage as well.
Inwardly, Inu-Yasha almost sighed. "Kikyo... why?"
The miko's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Why? You have the nerve to ask me why?"
"Yes. Why do you still hate me?"
Kikyo's eyes narrowed further. "Why do I hate you? Because you killed me!"
"But I didn't!! Naraku killed you! He took on our forms and turned us against each other. I didn't kill you†I would never have!"
"Silence!" Kikyo yelled. "Indeed, he took on our forms – but shouldn't you have trusted me enough to know that I would never try to-- "
"Gods, Kikyo, don't even get there about me not trusting you! You should have trusted me to know that I would never even attempt to hurt you!" Inu-Yasha shook his head. "Kikyo, you're not thinking straight right now. Why don't you just calm down, and we'll just-- "
"I will not calm down!" Kikyo glared at him. "I will not clam down until I have killed you!"
She released her arrow. However, learning from experience, Inu-Yasha dodged... just barely. The arrow grazed his arm slightly.
Acting quickly, Inu-Yasha jumped and grabbed Kikyo's bow, breaking it in half.
"You bastard!" Kikyo screamed.
"Kikyo... just stop. Maybe we were never meant to be."
These words seemed to have its effect. Inu-Yasha continued.
"If we had truly loved each other, I don't think it would have ended this way..."
Kikyo was silent. Then she spoke, her voice only at a whisper. "Then, if it was not love, what was it?"
"I believe that both of us were lonely. We wanted someone who could keep us company, and be able to listen to our troubles. Maybe the whole 'me-turning-human' thing was just... too sudden. I don't think I would have been ready, anyway. I like my powers..." Inu-Yasha took a deep breath. "And... I know Kagome likes them too."
Kikyo looked away. "So... you never loved me, but you love my reincarnation?"
"Please don't call her your reincarnation. Yes, I do love Kagome. She accepts me for who I am, and loves me unconditionally. While you wanted me to become human, she loves me as a half-demon, as a human, and as a full demon. And she also finds my ears very cute."
At this, Kikyo's lips turned up slightly. "They are rather cute."
Inu-Yasha grinned at her. "Now the old Kikyo is coming back."
"I guess... I was being really selfish, wasn't I?" Kikyo said. Inu-Yasha nodded slowly. "But... honestly, I just wanted to be together... but now that I see the truth..." She sighed. "I guess I'll be going to hell alone."
Inu-Yasha's eyes widened. "What? You're leaving?"
"Yes... I don't belong among living beings. I'm dead, remember?" She spoke softly.
He was silent for a moment, before advancing and then embracing Kikyo.
Kikyo was shocked at first, but then returned the gesture.
"Is it... possible for you to visit?" Inu-Yasha mumbled, inhaling her scent.
"Perhaps," Kikyo replied simply. "Maybe in another form, I will be able to."
The two broke away.
"Well... I guess this is farewell."
Inu-Yasha nodded. "It is..."
Kikyo smiled at him one last time. Then, a strong gust of wind picked up, forcing Inu-Yasha to close his eyes and turn away.
When the wind died down and he looked back, Kikyo was gone.
She had finally, after all this time, found her peace.
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Saki: Once again, sorry...
Kagome: ::Pats Saki on the back:: It's ok...
Saki: Please review... ToT
