Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just this laptop. And I love it. So stay away from it!
A/N: I know it took long. But University is harder than I thought and work is really starting to take its toll on me.
Hopefully, you won't have to wait so long for the next installment. I just got introduced to the wonders of Time Management.
And the story unfolds...
Chapter 23: Losing you a second time.
Kagome blinked.
This isn't where she fell asleep.
She looked around trying to figure out where she was.
"Miroku? Sango? Inuyasha?" She yelled waiting for one of them to yell back but they didn't. "Anyone? Where am I?"
She hesitantly got to her feet. It was pitch black. She couldn't even see her hands in front of her face. She waved her arms in front of her trying to see if there was any object she would collide with and took a few timid steps forward.
"Inuyasha? Help, anyone? Why is it so dark here? Where am I?" She shot the questions in quick succession, the sound of her own voice making her panic ebb down a little.
At least I know I am not deaf.
She waved her hands again, her cold fingers coming in contact with nothing but air.
"Inuyasha?" She yelled again. A gust was cold wind made her withdraw her hands and wrap them around herself. She then saw a swirl of white mist rise in front of her, glowing with unknown power.
"What...?" She questioned no one in particular. She didn't know if she should be relieved that she was not blind after all, or that she was in an unknown place, apparently alone with glowing mist that could not be good.
The mist around pulsed with energy, and she noticed that it had small amounts of purple in it.
She reached out a hand to touch the mist and her hands glowed where they came in contact with it.
She rubbed at her hand furiously trying to remove any traces of whatever she had touched and now lingered on her freezing fingers.
She looked up into the vast empty plane in front of her. The 'sky' was pitch black still, but the ground was glowing with hidden power, an unknown energy begging to be released.
"Say the word."
Kagome turned around so fast she almost lost her balance.
"Hello? Who's there?" She turned around to look behind her but was met with vast emptiness. "Who said that?"
"Say the word." The voice was soft and airy, like it almost didn't exist. Like it wasn't supposed to exist.
"What word?" She yelled back, trying to locate the source of the voice but it seemed to be coming from around her.
"Say the word."
"I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know what word to say." She said softer this time. Whoever it was didn't care about what she said, so she might as well save her energy and figure out a way to get out of here.
"Say the word." This time the voice was louder, harsher.
"What do you want me to say?" She said desperately. She was quickly beginning to panic. She was more or less defenseless and this voice was starting to sound angry,
"SAY IT!"
"I don't know what to say..." She said again, trying to calm down and figure things out. It is just a dream. Just wake up. It is just a bad dream.
"SAY IT!" Kagome whimpered softly. She fell to her knees letting the swirling mist encompass her frail body. She longed for Inuyasha's warm embrace and protective words. She longed for his strong scent that spoke of promised rains and hidden gardens.
Then she heard it. A third sound, or a person maybe. It sounded like spitting.
"Why you... ungrateful son of a bitch. I clothe you and feed you and this is how you repay me? Now say it!"
"Over my dead body, you bastard."
Kagome winced when she heard the second voice, much younger and smoother than the earlier one. The earlier one had a small accent to it but she couldn't put her finger on it. It was almost the kind of accent that one would get if they traveled too much.
"What?" She asked again hoping to get an answer this time. Nobody answered her query.
"Inuyasha?" She asked again. The second voice was definitely his. There was no mistaking it. It was the perfect combination of a rough, commandeering tone with smooth, seductive undertones.
"Finding it hard to recognize him?"
Kagome spun around again and this time she saw a hazy shadow far away, but the voice sounded as though the person was right behind her. It was a female's voice, soft yet it spoke millennia of wisdom.
"Who are you? What is going on here?" She asked, taking a few steps towards the shadow, trying to ignore the cold that seeped into her feet from contact with the icy mist.
"Try to understand Kagome." Another voice, right behind her. She spun again and stumbled back when a shadow rose out of the mist, looming over her. She yelped and lost her balance, landing hard on her back.
She scampered away from the shadow, whimpering out of fear.
"Try to understand." Kagome stopped moving; it was doing her no good. She squeezed here eyes shut praying that they would disappear once she opens her eyes again.
"Understand."
"Go away!" She yelled, wrapping her arms around her head trying to hide into herself.
This is just a bad dream, you will wake up soon. Now, wake up. It is just a bad dream. None of this is real.
"Understand."
It is just a bad dream"Understand."
"This is just a dream." She whispered to herself.
"Understand."
A bad dream. Just...a bad dream.
"I don't understand." She looked up. The shadows vanished.
"How could you let this happen?" It sounded like a conversation. She didn't know who were talking but she knew that Inuyasha wasn't there anymore.
"I... I just went for a minute. I didn't think he would... I am sorry."
Kagome swallowed. She didn't like the way this conversation was going.
"Do you know how much this is going to cost me? Do you have the slightest idea how much this is going to cost me?" This voice sounded angry. It sounded as though the man was trying to control his anger but was failing at it fast.
"I... I..."
"Get out of my sight. You cannot possibly screw up anymore."
Kagome looked down at her hands. She didn't know what was going on and she wanted to wake up. She really wanted to wake up, this dream was scaring her.
But you know it is not a dream. It's a vision.
"No it isn't." She shook her head. Her Inuyasha could never be in trouble. Not like that at least. She hoped.
"Now my pet. Why did you do that?"
Kagome listened, straining her ears to catch small details. Anything that might help her mate.
She realized that she could hear water running somewhere in the back, and there were voices... lots of them. A crowd?
"Answer me!"
Silence.
"Answer me god damn it."
Silence.
"Listen to me. Listen!"
Silence.
"Look, I know you want out. But I can't do that. You have to understand my situation. I cannot let you go."
Silence.
"Don't try anything like that again. Or we might have to cut off your pretty hands just to make sure."
Kagome's eyes widened. Cut of his hands? What did he do?
She covered her mouth with her hand. Please, God. Please don't let him be Inuyasha.
"You can't ... can't stop me. I... I will do ... anything I want. You... can't stop me."
Oh God no. That was Inuyasha.
"Don't try anything stupid, Inuyasha. This time I will let you go. I forgive first mistakes. This was however your fourth mistake or so but I am willing to forgive and forget. Because you are my favorite pet."
"You will regret... regret that."
"Regret what? Having you as my pet?"
"Not cutting... off my hands."
He sounded so weak. So tired and weak.
"Oh? What are you going to do then? Kill me?"
Silence.
"Don't try anything stupid Inuyasha. I am letting you go now, but next time I might not be so generous."
"Inuyasha!" She yelled out hoping he could hear her. It didn't work. Her shouts were met with silence.
"Inuyasha..." Tears were starting threatening to fall and she was trying very hard to wake up. Suddenly, the mist around her disappeared and she was shrouded in darkness again.
"You didn't listen to me did you?" A soft raspy voice drifted from behind her. She turned around slowly, scared of what she might see.
"I told you to wait for me. But you didn't. Why didn't you wait Kagome?" She gasped when she saw the person talking to her. He only mildly resembled Inuyasha. The gold eyes were dull amber, his hair were short, cut crudely as if in a hurry reaching barely below his jaw. His dog-ears were bruised and slightly swollen. His face sported many cuts and scratches that should have healed in a matter of minutes.
He was wearing a gray shirt that was too large for him and khaki pants that were torn and worn out in some areas. The pants were also spotted with some dark stains that she could not decipher.
Kagome's wide eyes followed a particularly large blackening bruise from the side of his neck to his chest where it disappeared under his shirt.
"Why didn't you wait Kagome?" His breaths were short and raspy as if each one was costing his a huge amount of energy. Her eyes roamed his body, taking in each horrifying detail after another, silently vowing to herself that she would do no matter what to make sure that her lover would never face such a future.
"I don't know what you are talking about... I'm sorry." She cried out losing her battle with her tears and letting them flow freely leaving glistening trails on her cheeks.
"No." He shook his head and then stopped abruptly as though the action hurt him. "I am sorry."
"What...?" She wondered softly and then gasped when Inuyasha revealed his reason for being sorry.
He held his hands to her that had been previously hidden by the sleeves of his shirt. Blood flowed freely from them, dripping away as though it were water. The wounds on his wrists crisscrossed each other, slicing the skin that refused to heal. Each agonizing cut oozed with his life as his body tried to pump his blood back to his heart.
"I'm sorry." He said again, looking sadly at his hands but not holding any regret for what he did. "I'm sorry I have to leave you alone. But...." He squeezed his eyes shut and took several deep breaths. It was obvious it was getting harder and harder for him to breath. "But... I had no choice. He wouldn't kill me. He would make sure I lived. Each day, every day. I... I can't take it anymore." He took a few more harsh breaths. "I want to go home."
Kagome choked on her tears and then held out her hand and touched his cheek softly. He leaned into her touch and nuzzled her palm, placing a soft kiss on the sensitive flesh.
"Take me home Kagome." He whispered, closing his eyes and leaning forward. Kagome wrapped her arms around his cold body, taking him down with her on her knees. She pulled him into her lap placing his head on her shoulder and rocking him back and forth as though he was a young child. She hummed to him softly, lulling him into sleep.
"You're home Inuyasha. Sleep." She said into his bruised ears, waiting for them to twitch to indicate that he had heard her but they didn't. She shifted him such that she could see his face. He looked calm and at peace. His ragged breathing had stopped and the wounds on his hands had finally stopped bleeding.
He had gone home.
She touched his cold cheek, relishing in the feel of it. Even after going through whatever he had, they were still soft and smooth. His living in the wild had not diminished his beauty in the slightest and even now... after all his trials, he was still beautiful. He possessed a unique aura, a power, and an attraction that would never be dimmed no matter what.
He was still so beautiful.
The reality of the situation finally hit her. Inuyasha was dead. And she was holding him.
It's a dream.
"No it isn't!" She yelled to herself, cradling the body of her soul mate in her arms. "Inuyasha's dead! And it's my fault."
No it isn't. Because this is not real.
"I don't care if it's a dream. This is going to happen." She choked back a fresh bout of tears. "This is going to happen. He is going to die and I don't know how to save him."
Wait for him.
"How can I wait for him? What should I wait for?" She looked around, the dead boy in her arms and the large plains of dark void. "I'll wait."
Wait for him.
"I'll wait for him. I don't understand how. Or where... but I will wait for him."
Just wait.
"I'll wait."
"Wait for what mate?" Kagome jerked her eyes open and looked straight into Inuyasha's large golden eyes. He was looking at her worried and she noticed that the rest of her comrades were crowding around her, concerned for her well-being.
"How long was I asleep?" She asked, groggily. They all exchanged looks and Inuyasha answered for them.
"A whole day. It's nearly sundown, we couldn't wake you up." He looked at her again with wide concerned eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Hungry." She grinned at him and her comrades visibly relaxed at the humor.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Sango asked again. Kagome nodded and started to get up.
"I don't understand. Do you have a fever? Are you dizzy? Nausea?" Miroku asked her and she kept shaking her head to indicate she was fine.
"One other question." Kagome looked back at Miroku, "Wait for what?"
Kagome sighed and shifted her gaze to her mate, who had snaked an arm around her waist to help her get up.
"You." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her answer.
"Wait for me?" He asked.
She nodded her head vigorously. "I'll wait for you Inuyasha. Just remember that."
He cocked his head to the side, obviously not understanding her implication but shrugged and helped her to her feet.
"Miroku, Sango pack up everything. We're heading back to the village."
They all stared at him. Shippo (A/N: I know, I know. I always forget the little brat. I'll try to include him more. Sorry!) squealed and jumped into Kagome's arms, snuggling into her chest.
"We have to make it there before sundown. I will carry Kagome. Miroku and Sango take Shippo and go with Kirara. Rei can run. If we hurry, we'll get there before sundown."
"But Inuyasha?" Sango started but Inuyasha held up his hand, silencing her mid sentence.
"It's the new moon tonight. And... there's something I have to do back at the village. Now, MOVE!" He said with such authority that everyone scrambled to get organized. Meanwhile Inuyasha took Kagome by her hand towards the stream to wash up.
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Rei watched the group get ready to leave. She particularly watched the way Inuyasha held Kagome and bit back a sigh. She shouldn't get jealous. She had no reason to be jealous.
Inuyasha was never hers. So why did she feel like... this?
She had nearly lost it last night and cast a very strong seduction spell on Inuyasha. She did it instinctively. It wasn't supposed to happen. She had come just to talk to him and before long she had lost control.
She had cast a spell. A really strong one, so strong that she felt drained later. Inuyasha was a man of strong will. But, even he shouldn't have been able to resist her. Then how?
How had he resisted her?
But if he hadn't resisted her, if something had happened... they would be doomed forever. They would have invoked the wrath of the gods themselves. Inuyasha was mated; there was no chance in hell he could mate with another.
No chance at all.
This time she didn't stop the sigh that escaped her. It was wistful and sad.
She knew she would never be loved. She would die before that happened. Not many knew this, but she, Kagura, Kanna ... all the offspring of Naraku's were to die with him. Actually, no one except Rei and Naraku knew this.
She smirked to herself. That's because she was the mind sorceress. She could read minds. She had gathered this information before Naraku had found out about her rather special power and had cut himself off.
How? She didn't know. Then again, he held the very threads of her life in his hands. He could cut his mind off if he wanted to.
Yes, once the final battle was over, she'll die. She'll never see Inuyasha again. All she wanted was one kiss.
Just one.
But she'll never have that. Her first love will be unrequited.
She snorted and the monk and exterminator turned to look at her oddly. They still didn't trust her. And they had good reason not to.
She was one of the most powerful incarnations of Naraku. She could kill them now with one flick of her hand.
She could kill them all. She could kill the monk. The exterminator would be easy as well. Kagome...
She could kill Kagome. A dead mate... would mean Inuyasha would be free. He would not be mated anymore. Free to choose... she could kill her.
She shook her head hard to dispel the wicked thoughts. There was no way she would kill the one person her love loved.
Even if it killed her in the process.
Then again, she would die anyway. She barely had a week.
Just a week.
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Souta and Grandfather watched mama with something akin to fear in their eyes. Ever since Kagome had left, she had been silent. Only speaking to issue orders like "Dinner's ready" or "wash the dishes."
They were seated at the dinner table, eating dinner and the tension was so thick that one could cut it with a knife if required.
"Mama?" Souta asked softly.
"What?" She snapped. He cringed and muttered and an apology, continuing to eat.
"You really should calm down." Grandfather tried to reason with her. She sighed heavily and continued to eat when the phone rang.
"I'll get it." She said and got up to pick up the phone.
She picked up the phone and spoke into it,"Hello?"
'Hey Love.'
Her heart stopped beating for a second and the phone fell out of her hand as the world turned black.
Review Responses!
Nicnivin: Here it is!
Alex: Thanx. And believe me, I hate Kouga too but I try not to be biased. Keyword: try
YoYoJo: So true, so true. I know that if I was in Kagome's place, I'll probably go insane from all the hormonal surges ;)
Darkunknownone: Miroku lives forever eh? I'm not so sure about that laughs evilly. We'll just have to see about that. And Seto is a character from Yu-Gi-Oh! And a couple more! Do u want me to tell ya? Let's see. I'll tell ya! There's Jonouchi whose the Japanese version of "Joey". And there's Honda whose the Japanese version of "Tristan". There. The rest r the usual characters.
Prsnr24601-FFICsimon: Wow! Thanx a lot for the really lovely review. And I am not sure I quite live up to Terri Botta and ookami-chan's skills. I'm a rookie. They are professionals. I love their stories! Anyway, and thanx a lot for the insight of Miroku.
Szmadad: Don't worry, this story is an Inu/Kag. But I'll make them suffer. And Rei was doing magic. Inuyasha is not a man to be easily tempted. He'll give her hell before he kisses her. That is, if he does.
Hmmmm...: Inuyasha will probably die before he betrays Kagome!
Lostinthoughtandintime: Well, here you are! Enjoy!
Live-4-Evil: Thank You! I was worried that I would face all your wrath once I updated.
Krazifull2748: Believe me, Rei is bothering everyone I think. Me too to some degree. That's why I am going to make her suffer! BWAHAHAHA
Ahem
AmberEyesCryptChick: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
NefCanuck: I know Sango and Miroku are not the spotlight of my story BUT they are the cutest couple! And Rei – well, let's say she's just frustrated as hell. And will be for a long time to come after I am done with her.
Arina: You have no idea! AND I am the evil author. Always was, always will be. BWAHAHAHA. And after reading this chapter, how are things NOT going to mess up? Heh heh heh. Stay tuned!
That's all folks!
Just kidding, until next time!