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Chapter 13 Parting Gifts
He knew he had taken a risk exposing himself to Chloe, but he couldn't think of any other way to get her to out of the stale-mate with her. She believed he was going to hurt Kagome, and knew that Kagome had lied to her about her reason for leaving. The woman had been maddening, but when he realized what she was doing and why, he was impressed.
"I can see why Kagome likes her. She's been hurt, but she's strong, too."
He didn't know he was going to end up telling her something he had never fully thought through himself. He had admitted that he loved Kagome. It was true. And somehow, that truth made Chloe trust him, even offer him some advice.
With his secret feelings spoken aloud he made himself vulnerable, exposed. It was a dangerous position to be in, to trust someone who didn't trust him. Then Michael showed up. With impossible ease, this man quickly undid what was done. By making Chloe forget, it was as if he turned back time, gave Inuyasha his secret back. He was relieved, but also a bit saddened. More than he knew, confiding in someone, anyone, was a relief. Now he was back where he started before his talk with Chloe, back to having his secret. The only difference was before the talk, he didn't even realize he had a secret. Even if no one else knew, he did now.
"Oh shit!" he thought, suddenly realizing, someone else knew his secret. "Michael heard every word. What the hell is he up to now?"
Inuyasha leapt up the stairs, feeling a sudden urgency about leaving Kagome alone with Michael for too long.
Kagome sat on the sofa, her guitar in her hands. She wasn't playing, just absent-mindedly strumming chords. She was thinking about the phone call she just had with her mother, and was feeling very depressed. In the past months, Kagome had grown apart from her mother, calling her less, confiding in her never. It hurt her terribly, to be so distanced from her mom.
The night she met Michael, everything in her life changed. Things happened she knew she could never tell her mother about, and there was no one, no one except Michael, who understood why. Of all the lies she had told over the years, had accepted as a necessary part of her weird life, lying to her mother was the hardest. She hated it, but it was now another fact of her life that there were things she kept from her mom.
Mrs. Higurashi knew her daughter like she knew herself. She was observant, and very little ever got past her keen sense of intuition. She knew her daughter was holding back, not letting her in, and she didn't understand why. She felt hurt, and didn't understand why her daughter, her strange, wonderful, beautiful daughter, was leaving her little by little.
The tension during the infrequent calls had been bad. Visits home were worse. Mrs Higurashi could not accept the empty formality of exchanging mere pleasantries with her daughter. She wanted to know what kept Kagome from her, wanted to hug it, cry it out of her. Her mother's pleading eyes were too painful for Kagome, and she distanced herself even more.
The phone call today had been the worst yet. Her mother already knew Inuyasha was back, Sota had told her. When Kagome was getting ready to call her mother, she thought, "finally, there's something I can tell her about that she'll understand. She won't like me putting medical school on hold, but she's always understood how I felt about Inuyasha. Without ever questioning it too much, she always accepted that going to the past with him was something I had to do. She's always trusted me." These thoughts made Kagome feel better. As fantastic as it seemed, this could be her bridge back to her mother.
But Kagome never expected her mother's reaction.
"Kagome, this is the worst choice you could ever make! God knows I try to support you, understand you, even when I'm supposed to do it on blind faith alone. You're a grown woman now, Kagome. How you can just drop your life, your career to run back to him again, after everything you went through when you came home last time. . . .I don't think I'll ever understand this."
Kagome listened to her mom's objections, felt the pain in her mother's words. Underneath it all, she knew her mother was very, very frightened for her. Kagome and her mother didn't talk much any more, but she still understood her mother. Kagome would never forget that after the well closed, it was her mother who kept her going, made sure she got up in the morning, went to school, ate. It was her mother that held her night after night in her bed, as she cried herself to sleep, her mother who soothed her guilt and sadness over the long months, her mother who made her feel that there was a chance, just maybe, her life still had a purpose. A chance that love was still possible, out there, waiting for her.
". . . .And what about Paul? What did you tell him? What should I say if he calls, Kagome, that your chasing a dream?"
"God!" Kagome thought, silently crying, "No one can cut you like your mother." The last truly happy time she had with her mother was last Christmas. . . .Paul and Kagome at the family dinner, announcing their engagement to her mother and Sota. Her mother was so happy then. She took to Paul quickly, wanted to set the wedding date right away. Kagome had wondered about this–was it that her mother approved of Paul so very much, or if it was something else--Paul was someone, anyone other than Inuyasha.
"Tell Paul whatever you think you should, mother. I've got to go now. Take care of yourself and please give my love to Sota."
Alone in her apartment, she suddenly felt so sad, so small. "She didn't even remember what today was, didn't wish me happy birthday, my own mother. . . . " She held her twelve-string guitar and began playing a Celtic lullabye she loved, comforting herself with the sound of her own music. She sang the words:
Sleep ye now my little dove, Rest your head, truest love. My arms are here to hold thee tight, My prayers go with thee, through the night. . . . As she was singing and playing, Michael came in carrying Chloe.
Kagome dropped her guitar and looked up at him alarmed.
"It's alright love," he said. "She's just dead-on-her-feet tired from staying up all night with Brad. She and Inuyasha had a nice chat and when I came upon them, she fainted. I checked her out. All she needs is a little rest and food."
Kagome let out her breath and thanked Michael for bringing her back home safely.
"Go on Kay, keep playing. It's lovely."
Kagome gave him a weak smile as he opened Chloe's door to put her to bed. She picked up the guitar and began playing and singing again.
Outside the door, Inuyasha stopped and listened. The music was lovely, her voice haunting. This music was very different from Kagome's singing at the club last night. This music was calm, peaceful. But even through the closed door he picked up a fresh scent. Kagome's tears. "She's sad. Why?"
Inuyasha turned the handle, and, finding it unlocked, came in. Kagome stopped playing again when he came in, looking startled and embarrassed. Her eyes were still wet with tears and she was trying to hide them.
"Oh, Hi Inuyasha. Michael told me about what happened with Chloe."
Inuyasha's heart started to pound "WHAT? What did he tell you?! "I hope she's not crying because of something he said. . . ."
"Sssh! You'll wake her up! It's okay Inuyasha, I was upset at first, but I understand how it happened."
"How WHAT happened?" "Gods! What does she know?!"
"Sssh! How she fainted, of course. Inuyasha, what's wrong with you? You're acting jumpy."
"Nothing, wen–, Kagome. NOTHING is wrong. I'm ready to leave now, it's morning."
Kagome gave a deep sigh. "Alright Inuyasha. Let me go in and say goodbye to Chloe and Michael first."
"Fine, woman, just be quick about it!" He turned away from her, and walked into the kitchen.
Kagome got up and went into Chloe's bedroom. Michael was sitting on a chair by her bed, applying compresses to her swollen eyes. "Hi," Kagome whispered. "She okay?"
Michael nodded. "She just needs rest."
"Kay?"
"Hm?"
"I'll look-out for her while your away. Brad won't hurt her again. I'll see to it."
She smiled warmly and kneeled beside him, resting her head against his leg for a moment.
"Michael," she whispered. "You really are an angel."
"Come on, let's let her get some sleep then," he said, coaxing Kagome up.
Chloe muttered something in her sleep that sounded like "Do you luffer?" and rolled over.
Kagome smiled, bent down, and gave her a kiss on the head. "Bye Clo. I'll miss you."
She turned with Michael and they left her room.
"Michael," she Kagome said. "I need to ask you to do something else for me."
"Anything."
She walked inside her room for a moment and picked up a small box from her dresser-top.
"We're going to have to leave now, so I need to ask you to keep this safe for me."
He raised an eyebrow in curiosity, and opened the box. Inside, the tiny jewel shard gave off a soft, pink light.
"Kay, why do you want to leave this here?"
"I need you to guard this for me. It's a safety measure. This way, in case something goes wrong and the jewel falls into wrong hands, no one can finish it and use it's power. If we succeed–"
"Not if, Kay, when."
"When we succeed, I'll ask you for this back. I know it's a lot to ask, but–"
"Of course, Kay, I'll put it somewhere safe. Don't worry."
"Thank you," she said, moving to him and giving him a hug. "I'll see you in two weeks, okay?" "Oh no you don't lady. Not so fast." Michael looked intent, serious.
"Is he angry again? Is he not letting me go after all?" Kagome's heart began to race.
Inuyasha, who was listening, came out from the kitchen. He didn't like the way Michael was sounding either.
"What's your problem now? You know it's time for us to leave, so quit stalling her." Inuyasha demanded.
"Inuyasha, this is between Kay and I, so if you wouldn't mind giving us a moment, please."
"Uh-uh. No way. Whatever you have to tell her, you can say in front of me."
"This way, at least if he blabs to her what he overheard me saying, I can deny it right away," he thought, feeling a little desperate.
"Have it your way then," Michael said curtly, and then, turning back toward Kagome, said:
"Kay, my love, this is for you."
He reached behind his back and held out a small, blue velvet box.
Kagome looked at him, puzzled.
"Michael, what is this?"
"It's your birhtday present. You didn't really think I'd let you leave without giving you your gift first?"
"Michael--" she said in her warmest voice, "That's so sweet! But you already gave me my birthday gifts last night. Being seranaded by you AND Tom Petty both? Nothing could top that! You don't need to give me anything else."
"Oh but I do love, and I did. Now, will you just take it and open it, already?"
Kagome gave a little laugh, took the box from his hand, opened it, and gasped.
"Michael! It's beautiful. . . .It looks like yours!"
Inside the box was a silver pendant. It was an angel, soft and fluid in a design of flowing silver. A small, single clear stone was mounted in the center. It hung on a fine silver chain. Michael wore one almost identical, only larger.
"Ay, love, it's made from the same piece of silver and by the same craftsman that made mine." "Really? You know the maker?"
"Oh fairly well, since I am that man."
She looked at him in complete amazement. "Michael–you made this for me?"
"I hope you like it Kay."
"Michael, I adore it. Thank you," she said, hugging him again, this time longer and much tighter.
Inuyasha watched, annoyed. "Hmph! Does this guy ever give up?!" He didn't like it that Michael had made her a necklace that matched his own. Something about this alarmed him, but he didn't know exactly what it was.
"Will you put it on me?" Kagome asked.
"With great pleasure," he said.
She turned, and lifted her silky mane of hair from her delicate neck. Inuyasha stood with his arms folded, and took in her profile. He had to close his eyes to steady his breathing. With her hair up in her hands, her head bent slightly to the side, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Michael approached her slowly, lifted the pendant over her head, brought the chain down on her neck and fixed the clasp. As he finished, and before she let her hair down, he gave her the lightest kiss on the back of her neck, causing her to shiver.
Inuyasha's body tensed and he curled his lips back in a menacing snarl as Michael stepped back, smiling.
"That is ENOUGH touching her!" He growled.
Kagome gave an angry look in Inuyasha's direction, and opened her mouth to say something, but gasped instead.
The necklace had tightened around her neck, she felt like it was burning into her skin. The small clear stone, turned a glowing white, then blue, mirroring the changes in Michael's pendant as well.
Inuyasha looked at her in alarm "Kagome!" he cried out.
The pain was quickly ceasing as the chain slackened again, and Kagome could breathe. She looked dazed, and was holding her throat. She took several small, rapid, breaths, and looked at Michael in dismay and anger.
"A binding spell?" she horsely whispered.
"Yes, love, a binding. The necklace is charmed, and now you're bound to me."
For an instant, the three stood, frozen.
Inuyasha looked from Kagome to Michael, saw the look of betrayal and pain on Kagome's face, Michael's bland expression.
"You God-damned son-of-a-bitch! What the HELL did you do to her?!"
"Inuyasha, please. I've had enough of your impertinent tantrums."
"And I've had more than enough of you, you God-damned smug, superior–"
"STOP!" Michael commanded in a startlingly booming voice. "You will both listen now. The necklace binds Kagome to my spirit. It is charmed for protection against demons. If Kagome feels threatened, angered, or frightened in the least by any demon, this charm creates a barrier around her no demon can penetrate. If she is attacked, it forcibly repels the attacker from her. Since I cannot go with her now, a part of my spirit will be with her, always, to protect her. I told you, Inuyasha, that if you upset Kagome you wouldn't get near her. I am a man of my word."
Inuyasha stood stunned, his hand still gripping Tetsiga's hilt.
"Michael, I don't want this protection, I didn't ask for it. I want you to take it off me."
"I'm sorry love, I won't do that. I agreed to let you go. I never agreed to stop protecting you."
Kagome glared at him, her eyes stormy. She rushed at him, and pushing her hands into his chest, cried "I hate you for this Michael! I hate you!"
He encircled his arms around her, so she was held still. He bent down and whispered into her ear "No you don't, love. You don't hate me at all."
He quickly released her, and with angry tears in her eyes, she pushed herself back away from him, and ran into her room, and slammed the door.
Inuyasha now had his turn to glare at Michael.
"I don't care why you did it. You tricked her and you're a bastard for doing it."
Michael narrowed his eyes and turned to him. "What you think doesn't matter, demon. I told you, I am her protector. I will do whatever it takes, and I do mean anything to keep her safe.
You have a right to know this, too: I know the way you feel about her, I heard you, but I knew even before you said it. Now it's only fair if I tell you how I feel. I love her as well. But, unlike you, I have no need to keep it a secret and I don't intend to."
Smiling graciously he added "Really, Inuyasha, there's no need for us to act like enemies. We both love the same woman, and, as it turns out, we both can have her."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Inuyasha felt himself flush, angrily. His hand never left his sword.
"Your Kagome, Kikyo, isn't it?, exists in your time. My Kagome, my Kay, belongs in this time, with me. Isn't the universe grand and amazing? We can both have what we want."
"Kikyo isn't Kagome. They're two different people," Inuyasha said, flatly.
"Are they? I thought you believed Kikyo and Kagome shared a common soul."
"They do."
"So how are they different then?"
Inuyasha didn't want to talk to him about this. He didn't want to talk to him about anything.
"Kikyo is none of your business!" he snapped.
"Ah, your right, Inuyasha, She's your business. You've promised yourself to the lady, haven't you?. I think that's fine, grand. Keep your promise, Inuyasha. You see to your lady and I'll see to mine.
But there's one last thing you should understand: We're caught up, all of us, in a great, cosmic game. I don't get to set the rules of play, I have to abide by them, just like you. But any advantage I can find, any way I can find to turn things in my favor, I'll take. The only difference between us is I truly understand the stakes. You don't."
Inuyasha was overwhelmed. He HATED this man, hated how Michael seemed to always be one step ahead of him, and hated how powerless he felt against him.
What he had done to Kagome was a miserable act of betrayal. Oh, he knew what it felt like to be under a binding spell, had even hated Kagome for it at first. To be bound this way to another being robbed you of your own power, it was an indignity. A month ago, the thought of a rosary around Kagome's neck would have been one of the most wonderful, funny thoughts he could imagine. But now. . . .now everything had changed. He loved her and he knew it, and now she was bound against her will to another man, not even a man, a ghost.
"I'll find a way to help you Kagome, whatever it takes, I won't let you stay bound to him."
As he stood angrily pacing and watching Michael, who now sat calmly in an armchair, he was leaning back, his eyes closed as if asleep. Kagome opened the door to her room and quietly emerged. She had changed into a beighe t- shirt with a sleeveless safari jacket, khaki walking shorts, and hiking boots. Her hair was pulled back into a loose pony-tale.
Not looking at Michael, she said, "Inuyasha, I'm ready." Her cheeks were tear-stained but now her eyes were dry.
She picked up the huge duffle bag she was dragging behind her and hoisted it over her right shoulder, stooping slightly under it's weight. She walked over to the sofa where her guitar was packed in it's case and picked it up with her other shoulder.
She stopped for a moment, looking down at her hands.
Michael had opened his eyes and was watching her intently. He stood, and quietly walked over to her:
"Are you leaving me without a goodbye, Kay?"
"I'm angry with you still, but I do want to say goodbye," she held out her left hand for him to shake, western-style. He took her hand gently in his and looked up at her, clearly shocked.
"You're wearing your ring?"
"Yes, Michael. I'm wearing Paul's ring. "You're not the only person in this time I'm bound to. I wanted to remember that."
He looked at her stunned, for once, not smiling. "I see," he said, still holding her hand. "I need to go over some things with you before you go."
"I think you've said and done enough. Come on Kagome, let's go," Inuyasha said. He didn't want to see or hear any more of this man, preferably ever.
"This is about Kay's training, and whether you like it or not, she's not leaving until I tell her what I need to."
"Fine, Michael" she said, still keeping her eyes cast away from him. "What is it?"
"Just a few important reminders. You need to stick to your diet and training regime. I know it'll be difficult while your traveling and in the kinds of places you'll be, but it's very important."
She nodded, saying, "Yes, I know. I have my food supplies and training gear. I won't forget.
"Good. Now don't forget to focus your energy, Kay. Focusing is the key, it's crucial. Focus over anger, over all emotion. If you focus in the emotion, it will be more difficult and you'll tire much more quickly. You need proper rest too. Don't allow yourself to get drained. Your spiritual energy is connected to your physical. You have the ability, you just have to give it a clear channel, focus and control. Do you understand?"
She nodded again.
"And finally, one last thing I need to tell you:
I know I've made you very angry with me today, and I'm truly sorry for that. I never want to anger or upset you Kay, but I did what I did because I love you. I love you Kay, not just as your protector, not just as your friend, but as a man loves a woman."
Kagome stood for a moment in shocked silence. The only sound was her duffle bag, dropping to the floor. She starred at him, her eyes huge. "Michael?–"
Inuyasha interrupted before she could finish her question.
"Aw, what kind of SHIT are you dishing out now Michael?? Can't you see what he's doing Kagome? Kagome?!" He was trying to get her attention, but at the moment, it wasn't working.
Michael continued, apparently oblivious to the raging hanyou in the room.
"Please Kay, I've started this, so now I'm going to finish: I'm an old soul, very old. I've existed for more millennia than I care to count, have known more souls than I can number. But never, woman, in all my days, have I known anyone like you. You amaze me and leave me breathless. Your strength, your courage, your wonderous beauty. I would do anything for you, anything to protect you, and anything to make you happy. I will gladly give my immortality to be with you if you want it, and will give my very life to protect you. Kay, if you will do me the greatest honor of granting me any portion of time to be with you and love you, whether it be a single day or an eternity of days, I will be truly blessed."
Kagome stood with Michael, her hand still in his, their eyes locked. Her expression had changed from anger, to shock, to something else. She was looking at him in a new way, trying to understand what he was telling her, taking it in, feeling the emotions behind his She was amazed by his candor, his love for her. Her eyes softened, sparkling with happiness.
Inuyasha felt as if an arrow had pierced his chest once more. It felt like he was slipping away into a nightmare, and he almost wished it to be true. Michael had said everything to her, took away his unspoken hopes and dashed his unformed dreams with a few words. There was nothing Inuyahsa could do, now that she had heard this, but watch her slip away.
"Michael," she said, "What you just said you want, you really meant it?"
"Yes, my love. I mean every word I ever say to you. But now you need to rest."
"Michael," she said, looking confused, "I'm not tired, I'm–"
"You need to sleep, now," he said. Kagome collapsed in his arms.
Inuyasha snapped out of his desolate self-pitying when he saw Kagome fall.
"What the hell did you do that to her for?! Do you get some kind of sick kick, knocking-out women?!" He was angry at Michael for so many reasons, including the reason that he didn't understand, couldn't predict, from moment to moment what the guy was up to.
"I couldn't let her leave with you like that, Inuyasha. She'd be distracted, her mind would keep wandering back her to me, instead of being focused on doing the job she's needed to do in your time.
Inuyasha snorted loudly at this, but Michael continued: "I had to make her forget for now. The next time I decide to tell her how I feel, and I promise you I will do this again, I won't let her ever forget it." He carried her to the couch and laid her down gently. "When she wakes, she'll remember that she's bound to me and that she's still mad as hell at me, but that's all."
Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest. He realized something that he had missed earlier, something that made him understand Michael's actions:
"Hell!" he said, smirking at him. "You are playing the fool! You did all this for me, didn't you?"
"And what would that be?"
"Your little disgusting declaration of love just now. This game of yours. You want me to feel like I have no chance of ever beating you. But the truth is you're threatened by me. You didn't just play with her feelings now for her sake. You did that for me. You're afraid I'm going to win."
"Kagome's not a prize, you stupid dog! She's a woman and she makes her own choices. When the time is right, I'm going to help her make the most well- informed choice possible. You don't belong in this picture anymore, you never did, boy, and we both know it."
"If you were so sure of that, you wouldn't need to go to the trouble of telling her you love her and wiping it from her mind. You did that to Chloe too. I actually thought you were doing it to help me, but that never made sense. You did it to Chloe because you were afraid that she might tell Kagome how I feel. You were just protecting your own god-damn interests.
Michael glared at him threateningly. "You have no idea what you're talking about, boy."
"I know that you want to make sure Kagome never finds out how I feel about her," he said smugly, knowing he had hit upon a truth. He had been too intimidated by Michael's power to see it before, too concerned himself with keeping his feelings for Kagome a secret, but now he knew he was right.
"You can leave with her when she wakes in a few hours," Michael said brusquely. "I'm going to go check on Chloe." He turned and walked into Chloe's darkened room, closing the door behind him.
"Like hell we're waiting!" Inuyasha thought to himself. He quickly picked up Kagome's bag and guitar, and scooped her up in his arms. Silently, he made his way through the kitchen, and out through the open balcony door.
"No more games, asshole, she's coming with me." He jumped off the balcony. Even under the weight of his burden, he moved with graceful speed, bounding over the rooftops. He made his way back to the well-house, and landed gently, still holding the young woman in his arms close. She never stirred. He smiled down at her sleeping form as he walked now into the shrine. He was feeling the effects of an enourmous rush of adreneline and a a surge of his demon blood. Inuyasha had not felt this powerful in a long time. He had Kagome with him again and he felt back in charge.
He also felt a renewed desire to make sure others knew who she was with, who she belonged with. He had always felt this way about her, had always gotten extremely angry and jealous when any other males, human or demon, paid attention to her. Now that territorial instict wasn't just renewed, it was reborn, stronger than ever. He loved her, it was clear enough to him now that he said it, and with the realization of those feelings came the surge of demon insticts–"She's mine. I will make her mine."
It was still confusing, when he thought about Kikyo. He didn't know yet what he would do when the time came. Whatever happened, he knew was not willing to let go of Kagome or allow anyone to take her from him. Knowing his own mind and what he wanted was a relief. Now that he knew, he felt more confident, ready to act. He thought about Chloe's advice before her memories were erased. "I will find a way to show her how I feel," he thought.
He looked down at her and lightly brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. Without really touching her, he brought his mouth down right above hers. His lips hovered, close, brushed the air. He blew a breath into her parted lips. She murmured and smiled in her sleep. Encouraged, he brought his mouth down to her again, and this time kissed her lightly. It was enough to taste how sweet she was, how soft her lips were. Taking this kiss, he knew he would want to taste others. The thought of kissing her would become more and more urgent. . . . He pushed back these thoughts and his growing excitement and whispered, "Happy Birthday, Kagome." Her eyelashes lightly fluttered, and a she made a small, contented sound in her throat. She turned, and snuggled her face deeply into his chest.
"Damn girl. You are a lot trouble," he said to the sleeping woman, "But she's worth it," his thoughts teased back.
He walked over to the well and jumped in, feeling relieved and happier than he would have thought possible.
Chapter 13 Parting Gifts
He knew he had taken a risk exposing himself to Chloe, but he couldn't think of any other way to get her to out of the stale-mate with her. She believed he was going to hurt Kagome, and knew that Kagome had lied to her about her reason for leaving. The woman had been maddening, but when he realized what she was doing and why, he was impressed.
"I can see why Kagome likes her. She's been hurt, but she's strong, too."
He didn't know he was going to end up telling her something he had never fully thought through himself. He had admitted that he loved Kagome. It was true. And somehow, that truth made Chloe trust him, even offer him some advice.
With his secret feelings spoken aloud he made himself vulnerable, exposed. It was a dangerous position to be in, to trust someone who didn't trust him. Then Michael showed up. With impossible ease, this man quickly undid what was done. By making Chloe forget, it was as if he turned back time, gave Inuyasha his secret back. He was relieved, but also a bit saddened. More than he knew, confiding in someone, anyone, was a relief. Now he was back where he started before his talk with Chloe, back to having his secret. The only difference was before the talk, he didn't even realize he had a secret. Even if no one else knew, he did now.
"Oh shit!" he thought, suddenly realizing, someone else knew his secret. "Michael heard every word. What the hell is he up to now?"
Inuyasha leapt up the stairs, feeling a sudden urgency about leaving Kagome alone with Michael for too long.
Kagome sat on the sofa, her guitar in her hands. She wasn't playing, just absent-mindedly strumming chords. She was thinking about the phone call she just had with her mother, and was feeling very depressed. In the past months, Kagome had grown apart from her mother, calling her less, confiding in her never. It hurt her terribly, to be so distanced from her mom.
The night she met Michael, everything in her life changed. Things happened she knew she could never tell her mother about, and there was no one, no one except Michael, who understood why. Of all the lies she had told over the years, had accepted as a necessary part of her weird life, lying to her mother was the hardest. She hated it, but it was now another fact of her life that there were things she kept from her mom.
Mrs. Higurashi knew her daughter like she knew herself. She was observant, and very little ever got past her keen sense of intuition. She knew her daughter was holding back, not letting her in, and she didn't understand why. She felt hurt, and didn't understand why her daughter, her strange, wonderful, beautiful daughter, was leaving her little by little.
The tension during the infrequent calls had been bad. Visits home were worse. Mrs Higurashi could not accept the empty formality of exchanging mere pleasantries with her daughter. She wanted to know what kept Kagome from her, wanted to hug it, cry it out of her. Her mother's pleading eyes were too painful for Kagome, and she distanced herself even more.
The phone call today had been the worst yet. Her mother already knew Inuyasha was back, Sota had told her. When Kagome was getting ready to call her mother, she thought, "finally, there's something I can tell her about that she'll understand. She won't like me putting medical school on hold, but she's always understood how I felt about Inuyasha. Without ever questioning it too much, she always accepted that going to the past with him was something I had to do. She's always trusted me." These thoughts made Kagome feel better. As fantastic as it seemed, this could be her bridge back to her mother.
But Kagome never expected her mother's reaction.
"Kagome, this is the worst choice you could ever make! God knows I try to support you, understand you, even when I'm supposed to do it on blind faith alone. You're a grown woman now, Kagome. How you can just drop your life, your career to run back to him again, after everything you went through when you came home last time. . . .I don't think I'll ever understand this."
Kagome listened to her mom's objections, felt the pain in her mother's words. Underneath it all, she knew her mother was very, very frightened for her. Kagome and her mother didn't talk much any more, but she still understood her mother. Kagome would never forget that after the well closed, it was her mother who kept her going, made sure she got up in the morning, went to school, ate. It was her mother that held her night after night in her bed, as she cried herself to sleep, her mother who soothed her guilt and sadness over the long months, her mother who made her feel that there was a chance, just maybe, her life still had a purpose. A chance that love was still possible, out there, waiting for her.
". . . .And what about Paul? What did you tell him? What should I say if he calls, Kagome, that your chasing a dream?"
"God!" Kagome thought, silently crying, "No one can cut you like your mother." The last truly happy time she had with her mother was last Christmas. . . .Paul and Kagome at the family dinner, announcing their engagement to her mother and Sota. Her mother was so happy then. She took to Paul quickly, wanted to set the wedding date right away. Kagome had wondered about this–was it that her mother approved of Paul so very much, or if it was something else--Paul was someone, anyone other than Inuyasha.
"Tell Paul whatever you think you should, mother. I've got to go now. Take care of yourself and please give my love to Sota."
Alone in her apartment, she suddenly felt so sad, so small. "She didn't even remember what today was, didn't wish me happy birthday, my own mother. . . . " She held her twelve-string guitar and began playing a Celtic lullabye she loved, comforting herself with the sound of her own music. She sang the words:
Sleep ye now my little dove, Rest your head, truest love. My arms are here to hold thee tight, My prayers go with thee, through the night. . . . As she was singing and playing, Michael came in carrying Chloe.
Kagome dropped her guitar and looked up at him alarmed.
"It's alright love," he said. "She's just dead-on-her-feet tired from staying up all night with Brad. She and Inuyasha had a nice chat and when I came upon them, she fainted. I checked her out. All she needs is a little rest and food."
Kagome let out her breath and thanked Michael for bringing her back home safely.
"Go on Kay, keep playing. It's lovely."
Kagome gave him a weak smile as he opened Chloe's door to put her to bed. She picked up the guitar and began playing and singing again.
Outside the door, Inuyasha stopped and listened. The music was lovely, her voice haunting. This music was very different from Kagome's singing at the club last night. This music was calm, peaceful. But even through the closed door he picked up a fresh scent. Kagome's tears. "She's sad. Why?"
Inuyasha turned the handle, and, finding it unlocked, came in. Kagome stopped playing again when he came in, looking startled and embarrassed. Her eyes were still wet with tears and she was trying to hide them.
"Oh, Hi Inuyasha. Michael told me about what happened with Chloe."
Inuyasha's heart started to pound "WHAT? What did he tell you?! "I hope she's not crying because of something he said. . . ."
"Sssh! You'll wake her up! It's okay Inuyasha, I was upset at first, but I understand how it happened."
"How WHAT happened?" "Gods! What does she know?!"
"Sssh! How she fainted, of course. Inuyasha, what's wrong with you? You're acting jumpy."
"Nothing, wen–, Kagome. NOTHING is wrong. I'm ready to leave now, it's morning."
Kagome gave a deep sigh. "Alright Inuyasha. Let me go in and say goodbye to Chloe and Michael first."
"Fine, woman, just be quick about it!" He turned away from her, and walked into the kitchen.
Kagome got up and went into Chloe's bedroom. Michael was sitting on a chair by her bed, applying compresses to her swollen eyes. "Hi," Kagome whispered. "She okay?"
Michael nodded. "She just needs rest."
"Kay?"
"Hm?"
"I'll look-out for her while your away. Brad won't hurt her again. I'll see to it."
She smiled warmly and kneeled beside him, resting her head against his leg for a moment.
"Michael," she whispered. "You really are an angel."
"Come on, let's let her get some sleep then," he said, coaxing Kagome up.
Chloe muttered something in her sleep that sounded like "Do you luffer?" and rolled over.
Kagome smiled, bent down, and gave her a kiss on the head. "Bye Clo. I'll miss you."
She turned with Michael and they left her room.
"Michael," she Kagome said. "I need to ask you to do something else for me."
"Anything."
She walked inside her room for a moment and picked up a small box from her dresser-top.
"We're going to have to leave now, so I need to ask you to keep this safe for me."
He raised an eyebrow in curiosity, and opened the box. Inside, the tiny jewel shard gave off a soft, pink light.
"Kay, why do you want to leave this here?"
"I need you to guard this for me. It's a safety measure. This way, in case something goes wrong and the jewel falls into wrong hands, no one can finish it and use it's power. If we succeed–"
"Not if, Kay, when."
"When we succeed, I'll ask you for this back. I know it's a lot to ask, but–"
"Of course, Kay, I'll put it somewhere safe. Don't worry."
"Thank you," she said, moving to him and giving him a hug. "I'll see you in two weeks, okay?" "Oh no you don't lady. Not so fast." Michael looked intent, serious.
"Is he angry again? Is he not letting me go after all?" Kagome's heart began to race.
Inuyasha, who was listening, came out from the kitchen. He didn't like the way Michael was sounding either.
"What's your problem now? You know it's time for us to leave, so quit stalling her." Inuyasha demanded.
"Inuyasha, this is between Kay and I, so if you wouldn't mind giving us a moment, please."
"Uh-uh. No way. Whatever you have to tell her, you can say in front of me."
"This way, at least if he blabs to her what he overheard me saying, I can deny it right away," he thought, feeling a little desperate.
"Have it your way then," Michael said curtly, and then, turning back toward Kagome, said:
"Kay, my love, this is for you."
He reached behind his back and held out a small, blue velvet box.
Kagome looked at him, puzzled.
"Michael, what is this?"
"It's your birhtday present. You didn't really think I'd let you leave without giving you your gift first?"
"Michael--" she said in her warmest voice, "That's so sweet! But you already gave me my birthday gifts last night. Being seranaded by you AND Tom Petty both? Nothing could top that! You don't need to give me anything else."
"Oh but I do love, and I did. Now, will you just take it and open it, already?"
Kagome gave a little laugh, took the box from his hand, opened it, and gasped.
"Michael! It's beautiful. . . .It looks like yours!"
Inside the box was a silver pendant. It was an angel, soft and fluid in a design of flowing silver. A small, single clear stone was mounted in the center. It hung on a fine silver chain. Michael wore one almost identical, only larger.
"Ay, love, it's made from the same piece of silver and by the same craftsman that made mine." "Really? You know the maker?"
"Oh fairly well, since I am that man."
She looked at him in complete amazement. "Michael–you made this for me?"
"I hope you like it Kay."
"Michael, I adore it. Thank you," she said, hugging him again, this time longer and much tighter.
Inuyasha watched, annoyed. "Hmph! Does this guy ever give up?!" He didn't like it that Michael had made her a necklace that matched his own. Something about this alarmed him, but he didn't know exactly what it was.
"Will you put it on me?" Kagome asked.
"With great pleasure," he said.
She turned, and lifted her silky mane of hair from her delicate neck. Inuyasha stood with his arms folded, and took in her profile. He had to close his eyes to steady his breathing. With her hair up in her hands, her head bent slightly to the side, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Michael approached her slowly, lifted the pendant over her head, brought the chain down on her neck and fixed the clasp. As he finished, and before she let her hair down, he gave her the lightest kiss on the back of her neck, causing her to shiver.
Inuyasha's body tensed and he curled his lips back in a menacing snarl as Michael stepped back, smiling.
"That is ENOUGH touching her!" He growled.
Kagome gave an angry look in Inuyasha's direction, and opened her mouth to say something, but gasped instead.
The necklace had tightened around her neck, she felt like it was burning into her skin. The small clear stone, turned a glowing white, then blue, mirroring the changes in Michael's pendant as well.
Inuyasha looked at her in alarm "Kagome!" he cried out.
The pain was quickly ceasing as the chain slackened again, and Kagome could breathe. She looked dazed, and was holding her throat. She took several small, rapid, breaths, and looked at Michael in dismay and anger.
"A binding spell?" she horsely whispered.
"Yes, love, a binding. The necklace is charmed, and now you're bound to me."
For an instant, the three stood, frozen.
Inuyasha looked from Kagome to Michael, saw the look of betrayal and pain on Kagome's face, Michael's bland expression.
"You God-damned son-of-a-bitch! What the HELL did you do to her?!"
"Inuyasha, please. I've had enough of your impertinent tantrums."
"And I've had more than enough of you, you God-damned smug, superior–"
"STOP!" Michael commanded in a startlingly booming voice. "You will both listen now. The necklace binds Kagome to my spirit. It is charmed for protection against demons. If Kagome feels threatened, angered, or frightened in the least by any demon, this charm creates a barrier around her no demon can penetrate. If she is attacked, it forcibly repels the attacker from her. Since I cannot go with her now, a part of my spirit will be with her, always, to protect her. I told you, Inuyasha, that if you upset Kagome you wouldn't get near her. I am a man of my word."
Inuyasha stood stunned, his hand still gripping Tetsiga's hilt.
"Michael, I don't want this protection, I didn't ask for it. I want you to take it off me."
"I'm sorry love, I won't do that. I agreed to let you go. I never agreed to stop protecting you."
Kagome glared at him, her eyes stormy. She rushed at him, and pushing her hands into his chest, cried "I hate you for this Michael! I hate you!"
He encircled his arms around her, so she was held still. He bent down and whispered into her ear "No you don't, love. You don't hate me at all."
He quickly released her, and with angry tears in her eyes, she pushed herself back away from him, and ran into her room, and slammed the door.
Inuyasha now had his turn to glare at Michael.
"I don't care why you did it. You tricked her and you're a bastard for doing it."
Michael narrowed his eyes and turned to him. "What you think doesn't matter, demon. I told you, I am her protector. I will do whatever it takes, and I do mean anything to keep her safe.
You have a right to know this, too: I know the way you feel about her, I heard you, but I knew even before you said it. Now it's only fair if I tell you how I feel. I love her as well. But, unlike you, I have no need to keep it a secret and I don't intend to."
Smiling graciously he added "Really, Inuyasha, there's no need for us to act like enemies. We both love the same woman, and, as it turns out, we both can have her."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Inuyasha felt himself flush, angrily. His hand never left his sword.
"Your Kagome, Kikyo, isn't it?, exists in your time. My Kagome, my Kay, belongs in this time, with me. Isn't the universe grand and amazing? We can both have what we want."
"Kikyo isn't Kagome. They're two different people," Inuyasha said, flatly.
"Are they? I thought you believed Kikyo and Kagome shared a common soul."
"They do."
"So how are they different then?"
Inuyasha didn't want to talk to him about this. He didn't want to talk to him about anything.
"Kikyo is none of your business!" he snapped.
"Ah, your right, Inuyasha, She's your business. You've promised yourself to the lady, haven't you?. I think that's fine, grand. Keep your promise, Inuyasha. You see to your lady and I'll see to mine.
But there's one last thing you should understand: We're caught up, all of us, in a great, cosmic game. I don't get to set the rules of play, I have to abide by them, just like you. But any advantage I can find, any way I can find to turn things in my favor, I'll take. The only difference between us is I truly understand the stakes. You don't."
Inuyasha was overwhelmed. He HATED this man, hated how Michael seemed to always be one step ahead of him, and hated how powerless he felt against him.
What he had done to Kagome was a miserable act of betrayal. Oh, he knew what it felt like to be under a binding spell, had even hated Kagome for it at first. To be bound this way to another being robbed you of your own power, it was an indignity. A month ago, the thought of a rosary around Kagome's neck would have been one of the most wonderful, funny thoughts he could imagine. But now. . . .now everything had changed. He loved her and he knew it, and now she was bound against her will to another man, not even a man, a ghost.
"I'll find a way to help you Kagome, whatever it takes, I won't let you stay bound to him."
As he stood angrily pacing and watching Michael, who now sat calmly in an armchair, he was leaning back, his eyes closed as if asleep. Kagome opened the door to her room and quietly emerged. She had changed into a beighe t- shirt with a sleeveless safari jacket, khaki walking shorts, and hiking boots. Her hair was pulled back into a loose pony-tale.
Not looking at Michael, she said, "Inuyasha, I'm ready." Her cheeks were tear-stained but now her eyes were dry.
She picked up the huge duffle bag she was dragging behind her and hoisted it over her right shoulder, stooping slightly under it's weight. She walked over to the sofa where her guitar was packed in it's case and picked it up with her other shoulder.
She stopped for a moment, looking down at her hands.
Michael had opened his eyes and was watching her intently. He stood, and quietly walked over to her:
"Are you leaving me without a goodbye, Kay?"
"I'm angry with you still, but I do want to say goodbye," she held out her left hand for him to shake, western-style. He took her hand gently in his and looked up at her, clearly shocked.
"You're wearing your ring?"
"Yes, Michael. I'm wearing Paul's ring. "You're not the only person in this time I'm bound to. I wanted to remember that."
He looked at her stunned, for once, not smiling. "I see," he said, still holding her hand. "I need to go over some things with you before you go."
"I think you've said and done enough. Come on Kagome, let's go," Inuyasha said. He didn't want to see or hear any more of this man, preferably ever.
"This is about Kay's training, and whether you like it or not, she's not leaving until I tell her what I need to."
"Fine, Michael" she said, still keeping her eyes cast away from him. "What is it?"
"Just a few important reminders. You need to stick to your diet and training regime. I know it'll be difficult while your traveling and in the kinds of places you'll be, but it's very important."
She nodded, saying, "Yes, I know. I have my food supplies and training gear. I won't forget.
"Good. Now don't forget to focus your energy, Kay. Focusing is the key, it's crucial. Focus over anger, over all emotion. If you focus in the emotion, it will be more difficult and you'll tire much more quickly. You need proper rest too. Don't allow yourself to get drained. Your spiritual energy is connected to your physical. You have the ability, you just have to give it a clear channel, focus and control. Do you understand?"
She nodded again.
"And finally, one last thing I need to tell you:
I know I've made you very angry with me today, and I'm truly sorry for that. I never want to anger or upset you Kay, but I did what I did because I love you. I love you Kay, not just as your protector, not just as your friend, but as a man loves a woman."
Kagome stood for a moment in shocked silence. The only sound was her duffle bag, dropping to the floor. She starred at him, her eyes huge. "Michael?–"
Inuyasha interrupted before she could finish her question.
"Aw, what kind of SHIT are you dishing out now Michael?? Can't you see what he's doing Kagome? Kagome?!" He was trying to get her attention, but at the moment, it wasn't working.
Michael continued, apparently oblivious to the raging hanyou in the room.
"Please Kay, I've started this, so now I'm going to finish: I'm an old soul, very old. I've existed for more millennia than I care to count, have known more souls than I can number. But never, woman, in all my days, have I known anyone like you. You amaze me and leave me breathless. Your strength, your courage, your wonderous beauty. I would do anything for you, anything to protect you, and anything to make you happy. I will gladly give my immortality to be with you if you want it, and will give my very life to protect you. Kay, if you will do me the greatest honor of granting me any portion of time to be with you and love you, whether it be a single day or an eternity of days, I will be truly blessed."
Kagome stood with Michael, her hand still in his, their eyes locked. Her expression had changed from anger, to shock, to something else. She was looking at him in a new way, trying to understand what he was telling her, taking it in, feeling the emotions behind his She was amazed by his candor, his love for her. Her eyes softened, sparkling with happiness.
Inuyasha felt as if an arrow had pierced his chest once more. It felt like he was slipping away into a nightmare, and he almost wished it to be true. Michael had said everything to her, took away his unspoken hopes and dashed his unformed dreams with a few words. There was nothing Inuyahsa could do, now that she had heard this, but watch her slip away.
"Michael," she said, "What you just said you want, you really meant it?"
"Yes, my love. I mean every word I ever say to you. But now you need to rest."
"Michael," she said, looking confused, "I'm not tired, I'm–"
"You need to sleep, now," he said. Kagome collapsed in his arms.
Inuyasha snapped out of his desolate self-pitying when he saw Kagome fall.
"What the hell did you do that to her for?! Do you get some kind of sick kick, knocking-out women?!" He was angry at Michael for so many reasons, including the reason that he didn't understand, couldn't predict, from moment to moment what the guy was up to.
"I couldn't let her leave with you like that, Inuyasha. She'd be distracted, her mind would keep wandering back her to me, instead of being focused on doing the job she's needed to do in your time.
Inuyasha snorted loudly at this, but Michael continued: "I had to make her forget for now. The next time I decide to tell her how I feel, and I promise you I will do this again, I won't let her ever forget it." He carried her to the couch and laid her down gently. "When she wakes, she'll remember that she's bound to me and that she's still mad as hell at me, but that's all."
Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest. He realized something that he had missed earlier, something that made him understand Michael's actions:
"Hell!" he said, smirking at him. "You are playing the fool! You did all this for me, didn't you?"
"And what would that be?"
"Your little disgusting declaration of love just now. This game of yours. You want me to feel like I have no chance of ever beating you. But the truth is you're threatened by me. You didn't just play with her feelings now for her sake. You did that for me. You're afraid I'm going to win."
"Kagome's not a prize, you stupid dog! She's a woman and she makes her own choices. When the time is right, I'm going to help her make the most well- informed choice possible. You don't belong in this picture anymore, you never did, boy, and we both know it."
"If you were so sure of that, you wouldn't need to go to the trouble of telling her you love her and wiping it from her mind. You did that to Chloe too. I actually thought you were doing it to help me, but that never made sense. You did it to Chloe because you were afraid that she might tell Kagome how I feel. You were just protecting your own god-damn interests.
Michael glared at him threateningly. "You have no idea what you're talking about, boy."
"I know that you want to make sure Kagome never finds out how I feel about her," he said smugly, knowing he had hit upon a truth. He had been too intimidated by Michael's power to see it before, too concerned himself with keeping his feelings for Kagome a secret, but now he knew he was right.
"You can leave with her when she wakes in a few hours," Michael said brusquely. "I'm going to go check on Chloe." He turned and walked into Chloe's darkened room, closing the door behind him.
"Like hell we're waiting!" Inuyasha thought to himself. He quickly picked up Kagome's bag and guitar, and scooped her up in his arms. Silently, he made his way through the kitchen, and out through the open balcony door.
"No more games, asshole, she's coming with me." He jumped off the balcony. Even under the weight of his burden, he moved with graceful speed, bounding over the rooftops. He made his way back to the well-house, and landed gently, still holding the young woman in his arms close. She never stirred. He smiled down at her sleeping form as he walked now into the shrine. He was feeling the effects of an enourmous rush of adreneline and a a surge of his demon blood. Inuyasha had not felt this powerful in a long time. He had Kagome with him again and he felt back in charge.
He also felt a renewed desire to make sure others knew who she was with, who she belonged with. He had always felt this way about her, had always gotten extremely angry and jealous when any other males, human or demon, paid attention to her. Now that territorial instict wasn't just renewed, it was reborn, stronger than ever. He loved her, it was clear enough to him now that he said it, and with the realization of those feelings came the surge of demon insticts–"She's mine. I will make her mine."
It was still confusing, when he thought about Kikyo. He didn't know yet what he would do when the time came. Whatever happened, he knew was not willing to let go of Kagome or allow anyone to take her from him. Knowing his own mind and what he wanted was a relief. Now that he knew, he felt more confident, ready to act. He thought about Chloe's advice before her memories were erased. "I will find a way to show her how I feel," he thought.
He looked down at her and lightly brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. Without really touching her, he brought his mouth down right above hers. His lips hovered, close, brushed the air. He blew a breath into her parted lips. She murmured and smiled in her sleep. Encouraged, he brought his mouth down to her again, and this time kissed her lightly. It was enough to taste how sweet she was, how soft her lips were. Taking this kiss, he knew he would want to taste others. The thought of kissing her would become more and more urgent. . . . He pushed back these thoughts and his growing excitement and whispered, "Happy Birthday, Kagome." Her eyelashes lightly fluttered, and a she made a small, contented sound in her throat. She turned, and snuggled her face deeply into his chest.
"Damn girl. You are a lot trouble," he said to the sleeping woman, "But she's worth it," his thoughts teased back.
He walked over to the well and jumped in, feeling relieved and happier than he would have thought possible.