Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Inuyasha. Nor do I own Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Rin, Kagome's family, or any of the other copyrighted characters that may or may not appear in this fic. So please don't sue me, and enjoy the story!
Notes: Well someone asked about Kouga, and I was thinking about how I wasn't going to include him in the fic because I couldn't think of a good role for him - and then it dawned on me that he'd be perfect for the role of the - heh, didn't think I was actually gonna give it away, did you!? But yes, I've just recently decided that he's going to be a part of the fic because there's a truly ideal role for him coming up soon. It was almost too good to be true - I think you guys might understand when you get to meet my version of Kouga just why I'm so excited about it. But it fits so perfectly!! Okay, I'll stop spasming now.
For clarification, Naraku will not be reappearing in a serious context. That I am aware of. Characters do tend to write themselves in, though, so you *may* be seeing him again. He was never intended to have a large part, just as a sort of step in the character development. I was going to use Hojou, but that would be WAY out of character for him and I actually think that if Naraku grew up in the present time he'd just be a lonely, confused, rather warped individual rather than an evil arch-villain.
As for Sesshoumaru and his stats, I'm so not gonna go there! You guys can infer whatever makes you happy about his talents and/or uh endowments if you will.
Sorry for the delays, I'm trying my hardest! Can't make any promises about when the next chapter will be out though, this class is sucking the life, soul, and creative energy out of me. Please try to empathize!
Response to Reviews:
Mynuet - It would be great if Kagome could just free Inuyasha, but in the eyes of the law as of this moment, slaves can never be anything other than slaves. There's no such thing as freeing a slave =\
Calendar - Thanks for the clarification on Kagome's eyes. ^_^
Rasberries - Kikyo isn't a miko, but she doesn't have to be to hurt Sesshoumaru - he's not allowed to defend himself in any way, so he's kind of stuck with her and whatever she decides to do to him.
Mara - I'm a real happy ending person - can't stand it when people end up sad!
Dark Syren
- Thanks for reading, and for being a wonderful reviewer!
KagomeWannabe - Thanks for mentioning Kouga and getting me thinking about him - I'm really psyched about my new role for him! And don't worry, Sango is on the way. ^_^
Learning to Let Go
Chapter 19: A Change of Tides.
Kagome woke up. It was strange, because it was the first time she could remember waking up and actually being immediately *awake*. There was no transitional sleepiness, no hazy phase of unreality before her eyes opened. She simply opened her eyes and the world around her came into focus.
It was as though while she slept, her brain had quietly and methodically worked out what had to be done. An epiphany, a dawning comprehension, a strange new insight that hadn't been there before. The realization didn't come the way she'd always thought it would, with a brilliant flash that left one gasping for breath in the aftermath, or in a tidal wave of sudden knowledge that left the recipient struggling to comprehend the new information.
Instead it was, quite simply, there. It was as though something that had been lying dormant in her mind had awoken, quietly, unobtrusively altering the world and her perception of it forever.
Kagome sat up, the new sense of purpose that infused her thoughts practically radiating off of her. She knew what she had to do, and she knew how to do it. All the uncertainty and emotional turmoil of last night was gone, leaving a lightness in her chest, a determination in her eyes.
She didn't bother to change before going into her study and shutting the door. Quickly she located her books on government and law, sitting down and pulling the phone closer to her. She would need that later.
It wasn't hard to find what she was looking for. Courts. Court rulings. Loads of information that would help her with what she was planning. There was a lot of it to wade through, but Kagome didn't even blink as she began to read. She didn't think about food or even what time it was, and so when the phone rang and she glanced up groggily, she was amazed to realize that she'd spent nearly four hours looking over the material she'd picked out already.
Reaching out, she picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Kagome"
It was Rin, but Kagome almost didn't recognize her voice. It was subdued, choked with tears, the youthful, optimistic lilt gone completely. "What happened?" Kagome gasped, gripping the phone tighter. What could Kikyo possibly have done to make Rin sound to dispirited?
"Oh Kagome! It's all so horrible. Kikyo knew about the plan the whole time. She must have overheard me on the phone with you. She was just waiting for us to go upstairs before - Is Inuyasha all right?"
"He's fine - or at least he says he is, and he seemed all right. Everything is okay. But what did she do to you? And is Sesshoumaru okay?"
"Oh, *I'm* fine," Rin said, and Kagome winced at the uncharacteristic bitterness in her tone. "She hasn't said a word to me since last night - just given me false little pitying smiles and condescending glances. But she made Sesshoumaru tell her about all the times I brought him food after seeing that tray last night, so - " Rin's voice broke on a sob, and Kagome's heart went out to her.
"It's okay, Rin," she said gently. "I - "
"It's not okay!" Rin shrieked, her voice rising to a hysterical screech. "Don't you see? It's my fault! It's *my* fault she hurt him because I c-can't take the blame mys-self!"
Rin was crying openly now, and Kagome's teeth ground together as cold, unforgiving anger welled up in her. She had always been quick to anger, and quicker to forgive. This was something different than her usual cloudburst of emotion - something that ran with more depth and was far less fleeting. She could tell that her fury at a society that would allow such disgusting practices would burn a long time indeed.
"I do understand Rin. I really do." And she did. She hadn't been able to take the blame that was rightfully hers last night either - Inuyasha had suffered in her stead. Something in her voice must have convinced Rin that she was telling the truth because her sobs lessened and Kagome could tell she was trying to compose herself.
"Anyway," the other girl said, a tiny spark of her usual cheer showing through, though Kagome got the feeling it was somewhat forced. "That isn't all I called about. My parents decided Sesshoumaru's not enough, since he belongs to Kikyo and she keeps him at home most of the time - I need my own *personal* slave."
"Why?" Kagome gasped, confused as to why Rin's family would suddenly see it fit to give her a slave.
"I told them about what happened with you and Naraku. Now they think Boston is dangerous so they want me to be protected when I'm at school and stuff. They're sending me a level 10 protector. I didn't even bother to argue with them. She's already on her way here and I have to pick her up at the train station at 2:00 today."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Kagome asked worriedly.
"Would you?" Rin's tone took on a note of more genuine happiness. "That would be wonderful. Oh - But Miroku is coming."
"That's okay. I can deal with Miroku for an afternoon."
Rin laughed shakily. "You're a great friend, Kagome."
Kagome rolled her eyes, standing up and stretching. "I'm only doing what any decent person would do."
"You say that about everything, even when you're the only person in the world who it applies to," Rin pointed out affectionately.
Ignoring this last bit, Kagome glanced at the clock again. "I'm just going to take a shower and then I'll drive over. Do you want to take my car to the station?"
"That's fine. Miroku and I will be ready."
The two girls hung up, and Kagome quickly showered and got ready to go out. When she came downstairs Inuyasha was sitting at the kitchen table staring out the window. He didn't turn to look at her as she entered the room. Kagome briefly considered disclosing what she'd spent most of the morning doing, but didn't want to get his hopes up before she was certain of what was going to happen. Instead she gave him a quick once over, trying to assess if he were still hurt from last night.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, slightly concerned by his lack of energy.
Golden eyes shifted from the view back to her, and she was disappointed to see that the shields holding in his emotions that had been missing last night were back in place.
"I'm fine," he said, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
Kagome sighed inwardly. Well, what had she expected? "I'm going with Rin and Miroku to the train station - Rin's family is worried about her after what happened with Naraku, so they're sending her a slave to protect her. Will you be all right alone for the day?"
"What do you mean will I be all right? I told you I'm fine." He glared at her challengingly.
Kagome glared back, her contrariness sparking up to match his. She marched over, tempted to poke him in the chest and force him to admit weakness but refraining out of worry. "I should rebandage that," she informed him, practically daring him to contradict her.
Instead he just smirked back. "Fine."
Blinking at his unexpected complacency, Kagome reached determinedly for his shirt and undid the top three buttons, surprised again when he didn't pull away. "You took off the bandage," she started, her tone heavy with disapproval, before she broke off in amazement.
The wound was gone. Not healed over, or even scarred - gone without a trace. His skin was as smooth and flawless as ever. She stared dumbly. "How"
"I told you," he muttered, jerking away and rebuttoning the shirt. "That was nothing. If you'd come a few minutes later then maybe you would've had to worry."
Kagome winced at the reminder of how she'd failed to protect him, how it was her fault that this had happened to him. Her resolve strengthened even more - she had to make it up to him somehow - had to pay the debt she owed him for what had happened. There was only one way she could think of to do that but it would have to wait a little while. She still had to go pick up Rin and Miroku.
Stepping back from Inuyasha, she turned away under the pretense of grabbing a breakfast bar from the cabinet. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since lunch the day before. Better make that two breakfast bars.
"Will you be okay alone?" she repeated her question from earlier as she turned back to the hanyou who was now regarding her narrowly. "What?" she snapped, unnerved and not wanting him to know it.
"You're plotting something," he accused. She stared at him in amazement, to shocked to reply. "Don't bother to deny it," he continued, "I can smell it."
Recovering slightly, Kagome rolled her eyes at him. "Don't get all paranoid on me. I'm not *plotting* anything."
His disdainful
expression said he didn't believe her for an instant. He turned away and Kagome
had the strangest feeling that she had *hurt* him - that what she had said had
*mattered* in a way that throwing quick barbs back and forth had not. For a
moment she almost relented and told him everything, but she was going to be
late if she didn't leave soon, and she didn't want him to know until she was
further along in her planning. With a sigh, she turned and left, locking the
front door behind her. Did everything in life have to be painful?
@@@
Well I haven't explicitly stated it yet, but can you guess what the second half
of this fic is going to be about?
I have lots of plans in my head - the problem is getting them onto my screen! But hang in there, I'll get to it all eventually.
