A Little Fall of Rain

by Chione

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And you will keep me safe

I will stay with you til you are sleeping

And you will keep me close

And rain will make the flowers grow

And rain will make the flowers. . .

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The light went out. I didn't have any idea what it meant, but it made things even worse. I couldn't see anything. It wasn't like being blind, at least then you have no concept of sight. I could still comprehend what my eyes were telling my brain. It was just black. The deepest, darkest, truest black I'd ever seen. Not even my hand could be seen, if I held it up until it touched the end of my nose.

I wanted to scream.

Why had I waited? Why hadn't I just walked into the light like a good little ghost and been done with this?

Part of me answered, immediately. Because you want to live. You're not ready to go yet.

A lot of good that's doing me. Wanting to live. Shoulda thought of that before I dove in front of an arrow.

I smacked myself, literally. No one was around to see it, after all. I would not allow myself to become bitter. I died because I love him, and gladly gave my life for his. I would NOT become corrupt. I would NOT hate him, nor anyone else for this.

I would not become the next Kikyou.

But that didn't mean I enjoyed being dead. Quite the contrary, I wanted to sleep and was frustrated to find that, apparently, spirits can't. I was tired, lonely, frightened, and sad. And it was so dark. Any reprieve was welcome.

Oh Inuyasha. I whispered, pressing my head to my knees. I wanted so badly to see him again. Please don't be sad for me. Kick Naraku's monkey ass, I giggled helplessly, And be happy. If you feel you must, go with Kikyou to hell, but you don't belong there. I wish--oh, I wish I could see you again. To tell you in person. I love you, as you are now. The hanyou Inuyasha. A rude, stubborn, arrogant jerk who saved my life so many times. Don't ever change who you are. Don't try to be someone or something you're not. But-but if you do, know that I love you no matter who you become, no matter what you look like. You're so very precious to me, I couldn't bear to see you die. I don't regret saving you, Inuyasha. I won't ever.That's awfully kind of you. Are you certain we know the same hanyou Inuyasha? a woman's soft voice startled me as she approached. I couldn't see her, but knew well enough she was there. And human. Hello Kagome. My name is Izayoi. Do you know who I am?I have a pretty good guess.Hmm, I thought so. Her tone contradicted her words; her voice was surprised. She sounded like she was smiling. I hoped so.

Am I going to meet anyone else while I'm waiting here?Quite possibly. I know for certain that I have brought someone with me, someone who wishes to speak with you desperately. Can you guess? I couldn't, and told her so. My father, maybe, but I somehow knew it wasn't him. I'd gotten to say goodbye to him, and I could sense he was at peace.

Kagome, I would like to introduce you to someone. She's a youkai. Inuyasha's mother, Izayoi, paused with a telltale hint of mischief. When the silence had been long enough to prolong the suspense, she continued, She's a kitsune. In fact, I believe you know her son very well. For he is also your son, now.

Shippou's mother.

Hello, priestess. I must thank you, on behalf of my mate and myself, for taking such care of our little one. Her voice was smooth, calm and almost a purr. I couldn't see her anymore than I could see anything else, but I imagined she was very pretty. Long red hair, a sly grin and sparkling green eyes. Her pointed ears probably added to the playful aura she radiated in the darkness, and I could imagine clearly her thick, curved tail waving behind her in a slow, rhythmic toss. My name is Shuri. I've been watching over you since you first took in my son.Miko-sama, we have come to present you with what a few of us spirits have been gathering. Not much, and not enough to repay you for all you've done for us: Shuri and her mate, Inu-Taisho and myself, and many more. Close your eyes, miko-sama.

I did as Izayoi asked. I admit to being more than slightly curious. Could whatever their gift was, could it save me? Bring me back or forward or somewhere other than this limbo I was trapped in? There was a tugging at my feet, and I felt Izayoi take my hand.

I opened my eyes, and suddenly, I was back in the clearing, not in my injured body nor Inuyasha's arms but to the side, as a spectator. Like I was in the audience of a theatre, watching the performers on stage with baited breath for the ending to play out the way I wanted. Naraku stood off to the side, cackling and gazing upon the scene with near giddiness. Miroku and Sango clutched hands, the taijiya grasping my own hand, presumably cold and dead, in her free one. Kikyou and Sesshomaru flanked Inuyasha, each glaring over his hunched shoulders at my pale form lying in his haori sleeves. Shippou--poor little Shippou--curled up on my lap, his tiny frame shaking so violently I worried his little body would shatter. His shouts and cries reached my ears, blending in the air with another, deeper sound of grief.

Inuyasha was sobbing, his forehead pressed against my own, and lips open in a drawn out call. Howls, gut-wrenching, drawing tears to my eyes, filled the cold, night air; I wanted to hold him. But I could only watch as Kikyou kept her distance, listening to his cries without a flicker of emotion. I glanced to my side, to Izayoi, to find her in tears as well.

Kagome, we brought you here, because I wanted to show you how much my son, the foolish boy that he is, loves you despite how he acts. And now, our gift to you. She raised her arms, outstretched toward the painful scene and the light about her shimmered.

The tugging on my feet returned, and I jerked my head down to stare at them in wonder. What on earth was happening?

I couldn't hear anything over the grieving sobs, but I saw clearly the blood stained grass and clothing that were abruptly--miraculously--clean. Inuyasha didn't notice, but Sango did as the hand cradling mine was no longer drenched in the thick, crimson coating of dried blood. Her mouth dropped open, eyes staring blankly at the smooth, pale skin. Within moments, her head snapped up, twisting this way and that for just a glimpse of me. She could feel that I was there.

The tugging grew stronger, like all of my soul was being pulled into the tip of a needle. Patches of sight blurred, interchanging with the sharper splotches until my vision disappeared altogether, and the tugging stopped. The last thing my consciousness recalled was Izayoi's whispered parting, I have come to love you as a daughter, Kagome-chan. Please, let my son know he is loved.

I blinked, my eyes opening of their own accord.

His golden eyes--filled with disbelief, filled with fear, filled with hope--gazed back into mine from just beyond the length of my nose.

There was absolute silence following the utterance. His voice was broken from tears, echoing throughout the halting silence.

Naraku's growl emanated from just to our left, and immediately the group raised their guard. Inuyasha meet the sound with a grumbling of his own, reverberating throughout my body; secure in his arms, he didn't seem to be loosening his grip any time soon.

How is it possible?! You were dead! I fucking killed you! Naraku hissed, standing straighter, the bulging, green tentacles about him twitching with his annoyance. How the fuck are you alive? And unharmed?

Good question. My lungs were healed, the hole in my uniform the only evidence I'd ever been hurt. How? Why?

Was this the gift from Izayoi, Shuri, Inu-Taisho and Shippou's father? This was what they gave to me? How could they have done this? Not even Tenseiga could heal me. I died! I remembered the light, the limbo I'd been trapped in so vividly, I remember the pain of the arrow.

I shook my head. How didn't matter, why didn't matter. I was alive, I was breathing, and safe in Inuyasha's embrace.

Whatever the reason, I was grateful.

I took a deep breath, reaching down for the arrow Inuyasha had pulled from me earlier. I ignored Sango's gasp as I took my hand back from her grasp, bringing it up to where I knew Kikyou stood.

Enough is enough.

When the smooth wood of her bow touched the inside of my palm, I yanked it from her fingers and down to my level; I needed to aim. I needed to concentrate. I would not miss. I would not waste this gift given to me.

I began, sitting up despite the restraining arms around me. You've done enough. I don't know how or why I'm here, alive, but I won't waste what was given to me. I made a promise. No more words. I notched the arrow instinctively, not taking the time to think over my actions; that would only mess up my aim which was more heart than head. Behind me I felt my hanyou hold his breath, I could hear the collective gasps and muttered prayers from my friends as I stretched back the string.

I let my eyes close.

The arrow flew, guided by my own soul, a worthier judge than sight. I knew the instant it hit flesh, I felt the burning through his soul. I refused to open my eyes until the moment the evil youki--that damn youki which plagued my life for the past two years--vanished in a burst of purity I suddenly, irrevocably knew to be my own.

Well done, Kagome-chan. Well done.

Thanks, Izayoi-san. Thank you for everything.

It was over. At long, long last, Naraku was dead.

I smiled, turned to face Inuyasha, and murmured quietly, Love you.

Then I collapsed, spiritually, mentally, physically exhausted.

But I was alive.

The best part though?

He was smiling.

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The rain can't hurt me now
This rain,
Wash away what's passed. . .

You're here,
That's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain will make the flowers grow. . .

And rain will make the flowers grow. . .

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That's all folks. There may or may not be more of this, depends on what you guys think. And I only got a few reviews for the last chapter. . . .so I need to know what'cha think! The first chapter of Reincarnation is done, so go read it and tell me what you think of that too! Okay? Thanks! All you guys who reviewed so far, I LOVE YOU! THIS IS DEDICATED TO ALL OF YOU! THANKS SOOOOO MUCH!

sniff This was so sad to write the first two chapters I just had to give it a happy ending. I love happy endings. . . I'll never write anything with a depressing ending. You can quote me on that too. Erm, okay, I'm rambling now. Just. . . enjoy, kay? AND REVIEW!