All That's Left of Yesterday

(Introduction, Theme, and Variations)

Author's Note:

Thanks to all my reviewers! I've never gotten so many on the first day! Just one little thing: I don't usually do requests; i hardly ever write what I'm inspired to. Also, the only things I know about Naruto are that it's insanely popular and involves ninjas. So sorry, eclipse-moon, i can't do that, since I have no idea what you said.

Also one little note: these will probably be short-ish chapters, so be forewarned.

The events of this chapter are based on something that happened to me about two weeks ago. I've changed it a little, but the basic premise is the same. If p, then q; where p is Moulin Rouge and q is ... well, you'll see.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, Moulin Rouge!, or any of the songs associated with either. Also, the only one making anything off this is the Kleenex corporation. Sue them instead.

Chapter Two

Theme:

Why Does My Heart Cry?

It had been Kagome's idea to have what she called a "movie night." Inuyasha had no idea what a movie was, but she made it sound like fun. Sitting on the couch and watching the light-box might not be that great, but spending time alone with Kagome in the semi-darkness was. Oh, it most certainly was.

She plopped onto the couch beside him and set the bowl of popcorn in his lap. "Here. Try this."

He smiled at her as he shoved a handful into his mouth. "Not bad," he said, his words muffled.

"Good." She pressed "play" on the remote control, and the movie began.

"So, what is this, anyway?"

"It's called Moulin Rouge," Kagome explained. "It's a love story."

"Aw, is this going to be some sappy crap?"

She scowled at him. "Just watch it. I've never seen it before, so I don't know."

"I'm sorry."

"What?" She turned suddenly.

He nuzzled her head. "I'm sorry I said that about the movie. It hurt your feelings."

She smiled and scratched his ear. "That's okay. Now watch! I've heard Ewan McGregor is amazing in this!"

As it turned out, Ewan McGregor really was amazing. Chills ran up Inuyasha's spine at the first huge swell of "The hills are alive," and his heart pounded through the Cancan. When Satine made her first sparkling entrance, he realized that Kagome was watching him. "What?"

She smiled. "It looks like you're enjoying this."

"Well, I don't really understand a lot of it," he admitted. "But the music is really good."

She leaned against him, and he put an arm around her, letting the intoxicating richness of it all draw him into its midst, with Kagome -- his love, his only -- beside him.

"We should be lovers," he crooned when the musical numbers slowed into dialogue.

"We can't do that," Kagome said, shaking her head - but he saw her smile.

"We should be lo-o-vers," he said again, squeezing her tightly. "And that's a fact."

His golden eyes met her bright grey ones and held them for a long moment. But just as he was about to lean in and capture her lips ... she turned back to the screen and snuggled warmly against his body. He sighed. This wouldn't be his last chance, he knew that.

And the film continued, a Spectacular Spectacular that held their attention in a vice grip until the Duke announced, "I don't like this ending" and "Le Tango de Roxanne" began. An unusual feeling came over the hanyou then. Christian's powerful voice over the cacophony pierced through him, and he was overwhelmed by a feeling of despair.

"Why does my heart cry/ Feelings I can't fight / You're free to leave me, just don't deceive me / And please believe me when I say I love you …"

He looked down at Kagome, who was reclined gently against his chest. Cautiously, he pulled his arms around her, and she pressed against him in return. "I love you," he whispered.

She looked up at him with a smile. "I love you, too." Then: "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head quickly, trying to drive the despair away. "It's nothing."

#&#-----

Kagome knew it wasn't nothing, but she held her tongue. This film had truly moved Inuyasha, and it wasn't even over yet. But she let him keep the strong facade, and settled back in for the ending.

"Come what may / Come what may / I will love you, until my dying day / Oh, come what may / Come what may / I will love you …"

Satine lay on the stage, and a choking sob forced its way out of Kagome's lungs. This is me, she realized. We ... Inuyasha and I are just like this ... Someday ... we will be parted...

The prospect made her drop suddenly from the euphoria that had been the first half into a new despair that she had not felt before. I will be without Inuyasha. I will be without my Inuyasha! Tears fell suddenly from her eyes, and she hiccuped again.

"Kagome?"

"I ... I ... I ... Inuyasha!" She threw her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest, losing all control and sobbing helplessly into his shirt. No! I'll never let you go! I'll never let you go!

"Kagome! Kagome, what's wrong?"

But she couldn't answer. The full force of the ancient miko's words had hit her without warning after many months, and she couldn't deal with it. She had to finish the Shikon no Tama, but ... to do so would mean to leave the only person she had ever truly loved. Her heart, her life, her only. But to stay with him would be disaster - the jewel in its broken form brought so much distress, she could never abandon that. Her head told her it had to be this way -- but her heart was shattered into millions of pieces.

Strong arms wrapped around her trembling body and held her, while a deep, gentle voice tried in vain to soothe her.

A second wave of tears hit her, and she began crying harder. "Inuyasha ... I love you so much ..."

"Are you okay?" he pleaded. "The movie wasn't that sad, was it?"

She shook her head. "N ... no..."

"Then what is it?" This was beginning to frighten him.

"I ... I don't want to leave you."

Oh no. "Kagome ... Kagome, look at me." He held back his own tears as he touched her tear-stained face, willing her to listen.

She slowly raised her head, wiping her nose on her sleeve. Why do I feel this way? I should be fine, I've known for so long; it's inevitable! More tears fell.

Inuyasha wiped her eyes with his thumbs. "Kagome, it's okay." His voice quavered as he spoke, as he whispered to her. "You'll never truly leave me. After what we've had, all the time we've spent together ... a little piece of you will always be with me, and me with you." Her eyes closed, and he set his forehead against hers. "Even when we're apart, even if, after we go our separate ways, we never see each other again ... what we have will always be a part of us. It's changed us, it's made us new people. Better people."

Her face moved to his shoulder and she held him with all her might. "I love you ... so much ..."

"Kagome, please, don't cry."

"I can't help it! This ... this pain is ... unbearable."

"You don't need to think about the future." He hugged her tightly, murmuring gently to her. "Only think of what we have now. Only think of the present." He took a deep breath. She was really starting to affect him now. He closed his eyes and sang softly:

"Come what may / Come what may / I will love you/ Until my dying day."