AN: Sorry fanfic lovers. I've been kinda goin through lately so bear with me on the long wait fo da next chap. Well I won't bother you with my personal life, on wit da story.
Have you ever jinxed yourself about something that pretty soon you come to believe it? That's what Kagome had done. For three long months she'd lived with Misawn and his parents in the Northern Lands. Misawn's father had taken quite a liking to her after meeting her for the first time. He'd come to see her as the daughter he'd never had, and Kagome had come to feel the same way for him. Misawn's mother, however, had been a little uneasy about having a miko on the premises. But after talking with Kagome and realizing how bright and intelligent she was, she came to love her as well.
Upon getting the family approval, Kagome tried to throw herself into everything she could. From learning how to be a lady, to managing lands when the lord was away. Suki, Misawn's mother, at first thought that Kagome was eager to learn about all she could so as to prepare herself for becoming the lady of the northern lands. But nothing can escape a mother's premonition. It didn't take long to realize that this 'eagerness' to learn was all forced in order to keep something else at bay. When Kagome first arrived she seemed to be sad and distant. Soon a smile lit up her face a little, but it never reached her eyes. Kagome had tried to keep herself busy so as to ignore the pain of her broken heart. She discovered that if her mind was kept busy she wouldn't have to worry about it, and then it would just be a dull ache in the back of her mind. But then when night fell all those awful memories and dreams would come to torture her mind and her heart. She then resolved to never sleep until she was too exhausted to dream, in the mean time perfecting her miko skills seemed to be an effective energy remover.
Suki began to notice the young miko's fatigue and spoke to her husband about it.
"Somethings wrong."
"Hmm? Are you ill love?" He pulled her close to examine her scent.
"No, no. It's Kagome, I'm worried about her."
"Why, what's wrong with her?"
"She has become so tired lately, her weight is dropping, at night she indulges in sharpening her miko skill until she's almost too tired to make it to her room."
"Yes, I've noticed. She does appear to over work herself, doesn't she." He sat down and pulled Suki into his lap.
"I've just come to love the poor girl so much that I see her as my own. It's almost like she's running from something." Her eyes began to water when she remembered the heavy bags under Kagome's eyes.
"Oh please, love, don't cry. How about I take her for a walk, hmm? Do you think that would help?"
Suki brightened. "Yes. Better yet carry her until she falls asleep. Then speak to Misawn once he returns, or should I?"
"Only if you think you can make him understand."
"Alright then I'll talk to him." She rose giving her husband a peck on the cheek.
"I love you, Suki."
"And I you, milord."
Kagome pulled the practice suit over her head. Today she had dozed off and taken a little nap, she'd have to work extra hard to tire herself for tonight.
'How can you still have such an affect over me, Inuyasha? I thought I could put you out of my mind, but even when I sleep your face is before me. Those golden eyes mock me and my distress.' She bit her lip as she felt tears sting the her eyes again. 'No. I can never go back, never.'
A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. Using her miko senses she could tell that it Lord Misaki. She wiped her eyes hurriedly, hoping that he had not smelled her tears.
"Come in." She made an attempt to sound cheerful, but her voice cracked.
"Hello, Dove." He noticed that her eyes looked a bit red. "How are you?"
"Oh just fine, I was on my way to practice a little."
He moved to sit on the futon. "But it's late. Shouldn't you be in bed? You're not youkai you know."
"Oh I know, trust me, I know. I just want to better myself that's all."
"Ah well I guess you're too busy to join me for a walk." He lifted an eyebrow at her.
She giggled. "No, 'Otousan', I'm not"
He smiled warmly and walk over to her. "Well then, Dove, shall we be going?"
"Whenever you're ready."
He reached down and scooped her up with one arm. She was startled at first but settled comfortably in his arm. He walked outside among the gardens knowing that she always did love the flowers. When she laid her head on his shoulder he began to hum a soft tune.
"Are you…(yawn)…trying to put me to sleep?" She murmured.
"MMM…perhaps." He chuckled when he heard he giggle.
Before long her breathing evened out and her arm hung limply behind his back. Brushing a kiss against her forehead, he proceeded back to castle. Upon returning he saw his son hurrying up the steps.
"Hey you!" He said not too loud as to wake Kagome.
Misawn heard his father's voice and turned to look at him. When he saw that he was holding Kagome he leapt forward.
"Is she hurt? What's wrong!" He took her from his father's arms and began to sniff her body.
"Now if she were to wake up and see you doing that she might slap you one good time."
Misawn scowled at him.
"Well then what is wrong with her?"
"Nothing, she's just tired. She's been that way for quite sometime."
"Yes I know. She's still hurting over the hanyou. If I'd have known it would hurt her this much I never would have done it this way."
"It's alright son. Some of the biggest mistakes were made with the best intentions. But what you need to do is try to bring her out of it."
"You love her don't you Father?"
"Who wouldn't? I mean look at her. She's beautiful and full of life and promise. I'd love to hear what her laugh sounds like."
Misawn's brow furrowed. It was true. Kagome hadn't laughed since he brought her here. But that would soon change, he was sure of it.
"Don't worry you'll hear her laugh soon."
Lord Misaki raised a brow at his son. "And what, pray tell, makes you so sure?"
"You know that she was trying to gather Shikon shards before she came here right? Well while I was away I was searching for rumors of possible youkai owning one. Before long I caught one."
"But you already have one, which I disagree with entirely."
Misawn brushed him off. "No, Father, not for me. I got this one for her, and since you don't like the one I have, I'll give it to her as well. If this doesn't make her at least smile, then I don't know what will."
With that Misawn turned and headed back up the steps.
Kagome awoke feeling fresh and ready for the day. She smiled when she remembered how she fell asleep last night. She froze in the middle of her stretch when she felt the power of shard next to her. Turning her head, her eyes met Misawn's. He almost looked like a little kid who had a great prank up his sleeve. She smiled at him and gave him a greeting.
"Good morning. What are you so happy about?"
Instead of answering, he jumped over and pulled her into his arms and began swinging her and laughing. Kagome couldn't help but laugh a long with him.
"Oh my dove. You won't believe what happened when I was away!"
"Considering what I've seen at my age, there's nothing I won't believe. Now come on what is it."
"You'll have to guess."
"Misawn! You here when I wake up, jump on my bed, spin me around in circles, and then expect me to guess at your happiness?"
"Correct my dear."
"Well it can't be because I'm pregnant."
"Again, correct. Besides if you were I'd do a lot more then just spin you around."
Kagome saw a gleam in his eye. She decided to bait him.
"Oh really?" She said leaning forward. "And just what would you do?"
Misawn took the bait and leaned forward as well. Her lips were inches from his own, he feel her breath on his mouth.
"I'd kiss you until you nearly suffocated."
She leaned a little closer. This time her lips grazed his when she spoke.
"That sounds…enjoyable. Shall we practice?"
Misawn was about to capture her sweet mouth with his own, but all her caught was a mouthful of air, and an earful of giggles.
"Some other time." Kagome giggled even harder at his puppy face. For some reason she felt playful this morning. It had to do with that good night's rest.
"That was cruel, you little vixen."
"Perhaps if your news is good enough, I'll let you have one for real."
Misawn opened his hand beneath her chin. When she looked down she saw three shards. Her breath hitched. One of them she realized was his. She looked at him questioningly.
"Because I know how hard you work to collect them, and my tousan wants me to get rid of mine, plus" He paused and brought a hand up to carress her face. "you haven't smiled or laughed since I brought you here. I want to see your smile and hear you laughter. I did this because I want you to be happy."
Kagome's eyes were brimming with tears. He had done this to make her happy. She knew that getting the shards was no easy task, especially if you didn't know where to look. But he'd done it, all for her happiness. She lunged herself into his arms and cried.
"Oh Misawn, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have wallowed in my sorrows so much. Please forgive me."
"No my dove. You were hurt and I just wanted to make it better." He pulled her up and put his forehead to hers. "So do I get my kiss?"
Kagome laughed, truly laughed.
'Yes,' She thought. 'It's time to wake up and see what's right in front of me. I can be happy with Misawn.'
Elsewhere, Inuyasha walked through the forest. He'd just come from talking with Keadae. Even if she was an old hag sometimes, she was always good for advice. They'd been talking about Kikyo, and how she was different from when she was alive. Though he hated to admit it, Inuyasha knew that Kikyo was not the same. What he hadn't thought about was the fact that Kikyo's love for him, now resided in Kagome. That was why Kagome had come to love him so much, and why he'd come to love her. He also discovered that he loved Kagome more then he would ever love Kikyo, and so came the descion to tell Kikyo the truth and find Kagome.
He caught sight of one of her soul stealers and followed it. Before long the scent of dry earth and bones came to his sensitive nose.
'She doesn't even smell like she did when she was alive.' He thought dryly.
"Ah Inuyasha. I glad to see you've come to your senses and saved me the trouble of having to come and find you."
"I've come to tell you something. Kikyo. I love Kagome."
Her lifeless eyes flashed anger. "You only love her because she reminds you so much of me. But we are two different people Inuyasha."
"So I've come to realize. I'm not coming to hell with you. All you've ever wanted was for me to bend to you, to become what you think I ought to be. Yes it's true, you and Kagome are two different people. Kagome would take me as I am and love all the same rather then want me to change. That is what true love is. I'm sorry if you can't see that."
He turned his back and began to walk away.
"Where are you going, Inuyasha!" She shouted.
"To find Kagome and tell her I love her." He answered without looking back.
Kikyo reached for her bow and an arrow. She notched it and took aim.
"No! I'll pin you to another tree, then I'll go and fetch your 'love' and let you watch her die right before your eyes."
Inuyasha turned when he heard Kikyo's words and drew Tetsusaiga. The arrow was inches from his shoulder, Tetsusaiga's power was fading. Inuyasha began to think of Kagome. His eyes hardened.
"No one will ever hurt MY KAGOME!"
Tetsusaiga pulsed with new found strength. With a cry of rage, Inuyasha pushed back the arrow. He swung Tetsuaiga with all his might and deflected it. The arrow went straight back at Kikyo. It landed in her chest with a sickening thud. She fell to her knees, then to side. Inuyasha watched as her body turned to dust and was carried away by an unknown wind. The souls that she'd gathered began to reascend.
"Rest in peace, Kikyo." He turned and began to walk back towards Keadae's villige.
He failed to notice that one of the souls didn't ascend with the others. Instead it floated in space for a moment the began to head north with great speed. It was time to return to it's body.
Have you ever jinxed yourself about something that pretty soon you come to believe it? That's what Kagome had done. For three long months she'd lived with Misawn and his parents in the Northern Lands. Misawn's father had taken quite a liking to her after meeting her for the first time. He'd come to see her as the daughter he'd never had, and Kagome had come to feel the same way for him. Misawn's mother, however, had been a little uneasy about having a miko on the premises. But after talking with Kagome and realizing how bright and intelligent she was, she came to love her as well.
Upon getting the family approval, Kagome tried to throw herself into everything she could. From learning how to be a lady, to managing lands when the lord was away. Suki, Misawn's mother, at first thought that Kagome was eager to learn about all she could so as to prepare herself for becoming the lady of the northern lands. But nothing can escape a mother's premonition. It didn't take long to realize that this 'eagerness' to learn was all forced in order to keep something else at bay. When Kagome first arrived she seemed to be sad and distant. Soon a smile lit up her face a little, but it never reached her eyes. Kagome had tried to keep herself busy so as to ignore the pain of her broken heart. She discovered that if her mind was kept busy she wouldn't have to worry about it, and then it would just be a dull ache in the back of her mind. But then when night fell all those awful memories and dreams would come to torture her mind and her heart. She then resolved to never sleep until she was too exhausted to dream, in the mean time perfecting her miko skills seemed to be an effective energy remover.
Suki began to notice the young miko's fatigue and spoke to her husband about it.
"Somethings wrong."
"Hmm? Are you ill love?" He pulled her close to examine her scent.
"No, no. It's Kagome, I'm worried about her."
"Why, what's wrong with her?"
"She has become so tired lately, her weight is dropping, at night she indulges in sharpening her miko skill until she's almost too tired to make it to her room."
"Yes, I've noticed. She does appear to over work herself, doesn't she." He sat down and pulled Suki into his lap.
"I've just come to love the poor girl so much that I see her as my own. It's almost like she's running from something." Her eyes began to water when she remembered the heavy bags under Kagome's eyes.
"Oh please, love, don't cry. How about I take her for a walk, hmm? Do you think that would help?"
Suki brightened. "Yes. Better yet carry her until she falls asleep. Then speak to Misawn once he returns, or should I?"
"Only if you think you can make him understand."
"Alright then I'll talk to him." She rose giving her husband a peck on the cheek.
"I love you, Suki."
"And I you, milord."
Kagome pulled the practice suit over her head. Today she had dozed off and taken a little nap, she'd have to work extra hard to tire herself for tonight.
'How can you still have such an affect over me, Inuyasha? I thought I could put you out of my mind, but even when I sleep your face is before me. Those golden eyes mock me and my distress.' She bit her lip as she felt tears sting the her eyes again. 'No. I can never go back, never.'
A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. Using her miko senses she could tell that it Lord Misaki. She wiped her eyes hurriedly, hoping that he had not smelled her tears.
"Come in." She made an attempt to sound cheerful, but her voice cracked.
"Hello, Dove." He noticed that her eyes looked a bit red. "How are you?"
"Oh just fine, I was on my way to practice a little."
He moved to sit on the futon. "But it's late. Shouldn't you be in bed? You're not youkai you know."
"Oh I know, trust me, I know. I just want to better myself that's all."
"Ah well I guess you're too busy to join me for a walk." He lifted an eyebrow at her.
She giggled. "No, 'Otousan', I'm not"
He smiled warmly and walk over to her. "Well then, Dove, shall we be going?"
"Whenever you're ready."
He reached down and scooped her up with one arm. She was startled at first but settled comfortably in his arm. He walked outside among the gardens knowing that she always did love the flowers. When she laid her head on his shoulder he began to hum a soft tune.
"Are you…(yawn)…trying to put me to sleep?" She murmured.
"MMM…perhaps." He chuckled when he heard he giggle.
Before long her breathing evened out and her arm hung limply behind his back. Brushing a kiss against her forehead, he proceeded back to castle. Upon returning he saw his son hurrying up the steps.
"Hey you!" He said not too loud as to wake Kagome.
Misawn heard his father's voice and turned to look at him. When he saw that he was holding Kagome he leapt forward.
"Is she hurt? What's wrong!" He took her from his father's arms and began to sniff her body.
"Now if she were to wake up and see you doing that she might slap you one good time."
Misawn scowled at him.
"Well then what is wrong with her?"
"Nothing, she's just tired. She's been that way for quite sometime."
"Yes I know. She's still hurting over the hanyou. If I'd have known it would hurt her this much I never would have done it this way."
"It's alright son. Some of the biggest mistakes were made with the best intentions. But what you need to do is try to bring her out of it."
"You love her don't you Father?"
"Who wouldn't? I mean look at her. She's beautiful and full of life and promise. I'd love to hear what her laugh sounds like."
Misawn's brow furrowed. It was true. Kagome hadn't laughed since he brought her here. But that would soon change, he was sure of it.
"Don't worry you'll hear her laugh soon."
Lord Misaki raised a brow at his son. "And what, pray tell, makes you so sure?"
"You know that she was trying to gather Shikon shards before she came here right? Well while I was away I was searching for rumors of possible youkai owning one. Before long I caught one."
"But you already have one, which I disagree with entirely."
Misawn brushed him off. "No, Father, not for me. I got this one for her, and since you don't like the one I have, I'll give it to her as well. If this doesn't make her at least smile, then I don't know what will."
With that Misawn turned and headed back up the steps.
Kagome awoke feeling fresh and ready for the day. She smiled when she remembered how she fell asleep last night. She froze in the middle of her stretch when she felt the power of shard next to her. Turning her head, her eyes met Misawn's. He almost looked like a little kid who had a great prank up his sleeve. She smiled at him and gave him a greeting.
"Good morning. What are you so happy about?"
Instead of answering, he jumped over and pulled her into his arms and began swinging her and laughing. Kagome couldn't help but laugh a long with him.
"Oh my dove. You won't believe what happened when I was away!"
"Considering what I've seen at my age, there's nothing I won't believe. Now come on what is it."
"You'll have to guess."
"Misawn! You here when I wake up, jump on my bed, spin me around in circles, and then expect me to guess at your happiness?"
"Correct my dear."
"Well it can't be because I'm pregnant."
"Again, correct. Besides if you were I'd do a lot more then just spin you around."
Kagome saw a gleam in his eye. She decided to bait him.
"Oh really?" She said leaning forward. "And just what would you do?"
Misawn took the bait and leaned forward as well. Her lips were inches from his own, he feel her breath on his mouth.
"I'd kiss you until you nearly suffocated."
She leaned a little closer. This time her lips grazed his when she spoke.
"That sounds…enjoyable. Shall we practice?"
Misawn was about to capture her sweet mouth with his own, but all her caught was a mouthful of air, and an earful of giggles.
"Some other time." Kagome giggled even harder at his puppy face. For some reason she felt playful this morning. It had to do with that good night's rest.
"That was cruel, you little vixen."
"Perhaps if your news is good enough, I'll let you have one for real."
Misawn opened his hand beneath her chin. When she looked down she saw three shards. Her breath hitched. One of them she realized was his. She looked at him questioningly.
"Because I know how hard you work to collect them, and my tousan wants me to get rid of mine, plus" He paused and brought a hand up to carress her face. "you haven't smiled or laughed since I brought you here. I want to see your smile and hear you laughter. I did this because I want you to be happy."
Kagome's eyes were brimming with tears. He had done this to make her happy. She knew that getting the shards was no easy task, especially if you didn't know where to look. But he'd done it, all for her happiness. She lunged herself into his arms and cried.
"Oh Misawn, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have wallowed in my sorrows so much. Please forgive me."
"No my dove. You were hurt and I just wanted to make it better." He pulled her up and put his forehead to hers. "So do I get my kiss?"
Kagome laughed, truly laughed.
'Yes,' She thought. 'It's time to wake up and see what's right in front of me. I can be happy with Misawn.'
Elsewhere, Inuyasha walked through the forest. He'd just come from talking with Keadae. Even if she was an old hag sometimes, she was always good for advice. They'd been talking about Kikyo, and how she was different from when she was alive. Though he hated to admit it, Inuyasha knew that Kikyo was not the same. What he hadn't thought about was the fact that Kikyo's love for him, now resided in Kagome. That was why Kagome had come to love him so much, and why he'd come to love her. He also discovered that he loved Kagome more then he would ever love Kikyo, and so came the descion to tell Kikyo the truth and find Kagome.
He caught sight of one of her soul stealers and followed it. Before long the scent of dry earth and bones came to his sensitive nose.
'She doesn't even smell like she did when she was alive.' He thought dryly.
"Ah Inuyasha. I glad to see you've come to your senses and saved me the trouble of having to come and find you."
"I've come to tell you something. Kikyo. I love Kagome."
Her lifeless eyes flashed anger. "You only love her because she reminds you so much of me. But we are two different people Inuyasha."
"So I've come to realize. I'm not coming to hell with you. All you've ever wanted was for me to bend to you, to become what you think I ought to be. Yes it's true, you and Kagome are two different people. Kagome would take me as I am and love all the same rather then want me to change. That is what true love is. I'm sorry if you can't see that."
He turned his back and began to walk away.
"Where are you going, Inuyasha!" She shouted.
"To find Kagome and tell her I love her." He answered without looking back.
Kikyo reached for her bow and an arrow. She notched it and took aim.
"No! I'll pin you to another tree, then I'll go and fetch your 'love' and let you watch her die right before your eyes."
Inuyasha turned when he heard Kikyo's words and drew Tetsusaiga. The arrow was inches from his shoulder, Tetsusaiga's power was fading. Inuyasha began to think of Kagome. His eyes hardened.
"No one will ever hurt MY KAGOME!"
Tetsusaiga pulsed with new found strength. With a cry of rage, Inuyasha pushed back the arrow. He swung Tetsuaiga with all his might and deflected it. The arrow went straight back at Kikyo. It landed in her chest with a sickening thud. She fell to her knees, then to side. Inuyasha watched as her body turned to dust and was carried away by an unknown wind. The souls that she'd gathered began to reascend.
"Rest in peace, Kikyo." He turned and began to walk back towards Keadae's villige.
He failed to notice that one of the souls didn't ascend with the others. Instead it floated in space for a moment the began to head north with great speed. It was time to return to it's body.