Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. I wish I did, but I don't…as for Sakura and Itsuki, they are mine.
Chapter 5: An Anguished Meeting
Sakura's eyes fluttered open. Sunlight flooded the small clearing that they had camped in. Dew still lingered on the leaves and grass, and her hands were wet with it. She peered around her, admiring her surroundings. The mountains in the far distance were shrouded with mist, the sky shown with traces of pink and hues of yellow as the morning sun broke the horizon. It was all so beautiful, so serene.
"This means nothing to me anymore…no amount of nature's beauty could possibly renew my happiness…" Sakura sighed. "God only knows how much I'd like to go back in time and fix this…"
Sakura sighed dismally, rising to her feet. She brushed herself off and wandered over to the small stream that winded its way through the valley. She stared into its crystal clear depths, gazing at her reflection. She sat gently down on the soft grass, losing herself in her thoughts. Sakura dipped her hands into the water, bringing some up to wash the tear stains from her cheeks. Yes, she had indeed cried that night…
"So this is what you've become, Sakura." The jeering voice was back. "The daughter of God, moping around instead of taking action against your enemies…you are truly a shameful excuse for a deity." The little voice mocked.
"Leave me be, I know what I'm doing." Sakura scolded. Her brows knitted in a frown.
"Yes, I shall leave you to your self-pity…for now. I will be back though, Sakura, there is no escaping me…" the voice jeered. The mocking voice laughed once more, leaving her alone with her guilt and hatred for humanity.
"Angels…humph…what a joke…" she thought bitterly to herself. "It's not supposed to run in the blood…Itsuki was supposed to be a demon like her father, not an angel…" Sakura frowned harder. "The persona of an angel doesn't run in the blood…they take the form of the child after birth…" Sakura shook her head. "Hmm…"
Inuyasha wandered up to her, settling himself on the grass beside her. "Good morning." he said cheerily.
Sakura simply nodded in reply. Inuyasha quirked an eyebrow.
"You slept well, I hope?" he asked politely, noticing the look of concern on Sakura's face.
"Yes…and yourself?" Sakura mumbled distractedly. It was obvious that she really didn't care what his answer was.
"As well as can be expected when you're sleeping on the hard ground." he said. "Sakura?"
"Hmm?"
"Is something bothering you?" Inuyasha asked. Sakura looked away from him.
"It's nothing…not important…" he said, fidgeting with a blade of grass. Dark clouds rolled in the distance, looming ever closer.
"Sakura, I think it is important." Inuyasha said. "You can't hold your feelings in like this. If there's a problem, let it out."
"Fine. You really want to hear the problem? Well, here it is. My daughter was murdered. My only daughter, my light, my pride and joy. Gone forever. Her bastard of a father killed her…and I was gone…I wasn't there to stop him…" Sakura whispered, a snappish edge in her voice. "That, Inuyasha, is my problem." Rain poured down on them, drenching their clothes with water. Tears welled up in Sakura's crystalline eyes, spilling down her cheeks. Sakura was grateful for the rain, for Inuyasha could not differentiate the raindrops and the tears on her cheeks apart. "My baby…my poor Itsuki…"
Inuyasha stared on in shock as the rain poured down. "You had a child?" he managed to ask.
"Yes, fifty years ago…" Sakura sobbed. "She was so beautiful. She looked just like Sesshomaru…how could he take the life of his own daughter…"
"Sesshomaru! My brother? "Inuyasha gasped, taken aback by her confession.
"What about me?" a deep voice asked from somewhere in the shadows of the surrounding forest. A tall man dressed in white appeared, sauntering toward the two. Sakura stared up with angst-ridden eyes. The man's silvery hair swayed in the wind and his amber eyes narrowed at the sight of Inuyasha. It was Sesshomaru.
"You had a child?" Inuyasha asked, rising to his feet along with Sakura.
"Is it any of your business?" Sesshomaru retorted.
"She would have been my niece! Of course it's my business!" Inuyasha snapped. Sakura watched on as the two men quarreled.
"Sakura! Now's your chance to seek revenge!" the evil voice returned. "Kill him, Sakura! Destroy him, just as he did your daughter!"
Sakura's hand grasped the katana that hung by her side. She squeezed the hilt, swallowing hard.
"No…no, it's wrong…" she replied angrily.
"Well, was it right for him to massacre your beautiful daughter? Take your revenge, Sakura. Avenge your child's soul." The voice insisted. Sakura's hand gripped tighter on the sword.
"I am not a murderer! I was unaware of what I was doing!" Sesshomaru retaliated. Sakura could just barely make out the conversation the men were having. The voice continued to torment her.
"Do away with him, Sakura!" The urge to kill Sesshomaru overwhelmed the woman. It was getting more and more difficult to resist. Lightning flashed and thunder roared overhead.
"NO! I will do no such thing!" Sakura screamed to herself. "No more killing…I've had enough…no more…"
"Come, Inuyasha. Let us be on our way." Sakura whispered, releasing her grip from the katana. Her hand fell limp to her side. She placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, leading him away from his brother.
"You still cannot forgive me for making a mistake…" Sesshomaru said, glowering at Sakura.
"Our daughter died by your hand…it was no mistake, Sesshomaru. And it was simply ill fortune that you did not kill me as well." She said spitefully. Sakura walked away, receding into the shadows. Sesshomaru frowned, turning away also. Thunder rumbled again. Somewhere in both of their hearts, a childish voice called out.
"Don't leave me here all alone…"
Author's Note: Sad, which I realize, but sorrow is just another part of life. It has a happy ending, don't worry. Next chapter's coming soon. Please review.
