Pure Breed: Chapter 8
Inuyasha was following Kagome as she went to the well. He was constantly complaining about her leaving to get supplies. "Do you really have to go Kagome?" he griped.
"Yes, Inuyasha."
"Promise you're only getting supplies?"
"Yes, Inuyasha."
"Promise you won't see Hobo, or Homo or whatever his name is?"
"It's Hojo, and yes Inuyasha." Inuyasha sighed, knowing he would have to put up with Koga alone for a few hours.
"Will you bring back some ramen noodles?"
"Yes, Inuyasha." Kagome said with a laugh. As she began to climb into the well, she noticed a bright glow was coming from the forest, while soul skimmers floated over-head. She looked away. "Go." Kagome said in a soft sad voice. "I won't stop you." Inuyasha grabbed her shoulders and turned her so she faced him.
"I am going, but just to say goodbye. Nothing more, I promise. Do you believe me Kagome?"
"I guess." she said hesitantly.
"Say you do or you don't. If you don't trust me, I won't go to her." She could tell he was telling the truth. There was no guilt or deception in his expression.
"I trust you Inuyasha. I'll be back soon." Kagome said, as she jumped into the well back to modern times. Inuyasha started making for the forest.
"Okay Inuyasha, you can do this. Just tell her you can't be with her, no matter what she says. And don't let her dupe you! You love Kagome, and you know it!" Inuyasha thought as he silently gave himself a little prep talk.He reached the sacred tree, and Kikyo was standing right at its base, dreamily stroking the spot where Inuyasha was pinned for fifty years. "Hey." Inuyasha said, his head hung low. Kikyo turned and looked at Inuyasha with a shocked expression.
"Inuyasha!" she exclaimed. "You're human! Have you defeated Naraku? Did you use the jewel to make yourself this way? Can we finally be together? Are you ready to come with me to hell?" she continued with a hopeful expression.
"Uh…yeah, Kikyo about that…" he managed to force out. "I…I can't go to hell with you."
"Why not?" Kikyo demanded, her face now a mask of cold fury.
"I…don't…love you anymore. I know that in reality you are just a body made of earth, which has no greater desire than my death. I can't go to hell with you. I'm sorry, I made a promise I couldn't keep." Inuyasha apologized.
"You…don't…love me?" Kikyo asked slowly.
"I did, but not anymore." he replied, feeling more despicable each second.
"It's my reincarnation isn't it?" Kikyo sorrowfully asked. Inuyasha nodded gravely. "I see. I understand. I will not deny you your love." Inuyasha obviously hadn't expected this answer.
"You…you won't?" he stammered.
"No. You have the right to choose whom you love. I'm just sorry it's not me." she answered morosely.
"I'm sorry too Kikyo. Thank you for understanding. I promise I will avenge your death and slay Naraku, or die in the effort." he vowed. "This promise I will keep."
"Thank you Inuyasha, I hope you live happily with Kagome and your companions." And with that the ground opened up and Kikyo was dragged down to hell. Inuyasha let out a long breath, relived he finally dug up the courage to choose, and to deny the other. He slowly walked back to Kaede's hut. When he got there, Shippo gave him a stern glare.
"I hate you Inuyasha! " the kit screamed. "I can't believe you would go and see Kikyo, especially after what happened last night between you and Kagome."
"WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT!?" Inuyasha yelled crossly. He glared daggers at Miroku.
"What happened last night between you and Kagome?" Ayame asked excitedly.
"Nothing!" Inuyasha said a little too loudly, as he turned away to hide his blush.
"He told Kagome he loved her!" Shippo hopped about gleefully as he spilled the beans, his anger temporarily forgotten. "And then they kissed! Kagome and Inuyasha sittin' in a-" Shippos chant was cut short when Inuyasha clobbered him over the head.
"You did?" Ayame asked, wide-eyed.
"Yeah…" Inuyasha smiled ruefully.
"YOU DID WHAT?" Koga hollered, hoisting Inuyasha off the ground, both hands tightly gripping him by the neck. "You kiss my Kagome, then go and run off to that dead bitch? I'll kill you!" Luckily, Kagome had just reached Kaede's hut, and came to Inuyasha's rescue.
"Koga! Put him down!" she pleaded.
"Fine." Koga reluctantly released Inuyasha.
"Did you tell her?" Kagome asked Inuyasha. "Look me in the eye and tell me the truth."
"Yes. She's back in hell now, where she belongs." Inuyasha said, looking Kagome right in the eye. She knew he was telling the truth. He could never look her in the eye after seeing Kikyo before. He wouldn't be able to now, unless he had finally let her go. Kagome threw her arms around Inuyahsa's neck. Inuyasha hugged back. The others were all very surprised at Inuyasha's statement, and Kagome actually believing him.
"Yeah, just rub it in, why don't you?" Koga said, obviously not too happy with Kagome and Inuyasha's little 'moment'.
"Sorry buddy." Inuyasha said chummily to Koga.
"Feh." was the angry wolf's only response, not noticing how much he sounded like Inuyasha.. "Let's go. We have shards to collect."
