Behind These Hazel Eyes
Chapter Eleven
Sorry about the extremely long wait, but Behind These Hazel Eyes is back up and I've got plans for three new chapters. Yay!
"Kouga!" Ayame called out to her fiancée and rushed to the front where he was leading the fugitives. "Kouga!" She repeated with impatience when Kouga didn't reply instantly. Kouga turned to the red head who had a very urgent look on her face. He was suddenly worried. "What's wrong?" Ayame looked up to Kouga pleadingly. "We have to stop Kouga! Just for tonight!" Kouga frowned down on Ayame. "And why is that?"
Ayame explained, "Inuyasha told Kagome he can sense snow coming! We're all very worried the Auschwitz prisoners might not make it through the night. We have to find a place to stay!" Kouga took Ayame by the arm, and fell back to the middle of the line, allowing Sango and Miroku to take the lead. "We can't do that Ayame!" Ayame stared at her fiancée in disbelief. "Why not Kouga! They're starving and cold enough as it is! We can't -!" Kouga put a finger to the girl's lips and whispered so as not to frighten the prisoners, "I've received word from Sesshoumaru that Naraku is planning to sneak attack the American soldiers with his tanks. They're headed to Antwerp, Belgium through the Ardenne Forest. I know we're near there. These people have a better chance of surviving the cold than surviving Naraku's tanks!"
Ayame nodded lightly and rushed back to the end of the line.
Kagome turned to Kikyo after overhearing Kouga and Ayame's conversation. "Kikyo, if they attack, and the Americans are unprepared, what will happen?" Kikyo looked on with worried eyes. "Most likely… the Americans will be defeated. Then there will be no chance of Naraku's demise. It would be better if we assisted the Americans, but…" She tilted her head and viewed all the Auschwitz prisoners. "… I'll go speak with Inuyasha. Maybe we can work something out." Kagome nodded and watched as Kikyo worked her way to closer to the front of the line.
Kagome looked on as she saw Kikyo approach Inuyasha. She didn't know why her heart beat quickened when Inuyasha covered the slightly shivering Kikyo with his jacket. Kagome hugged her arms trying to find comfort and her pace slowed gradually. Why was she feeling so down? It wasn't like she had any feelings for Inuyasha. Even less likely would be for Inuyasha to have feelings for her. Kikyo and Inuyasha were meant to be together, and Kagome understood her place. She was aware she shouldn't interfere, but she couldn't stop her heart from aching at the sight of Inuyasha and Kikyo's closeness.
As the group gradually approached the Ardenne Forest, Sango had her mind set on thinking of how to save Kohaku. She crossed her arms and looked to the sky that was slowly being covered with grey clouds. She turned to Miroku. "Houshi-sama? Do you think it will snow?" Miroku replied, "There's a good chance if Inuyasha thought so." Sango nodded and faced back to the front, continuing her thoughts.
Miroku didn't like how tense Sango was. Earlier in the day, she would constantly trip or stumble, and wouldn't hear at first if someone was speaking to her. Miroku knew it was dangerous for her to be like that when they were slowly approaching enemy territory. He was worried about her. Miroku lightly tapped Sango on the back. "Sango?" Sango looked up at him. "Hmm? What is it?" She mumbled with little interest. Miroku casually wrapped his arm around Sango's shoulders and asked, "Do you need to rest? You look tired."
Sango brushed Miroku's hand away and answered quickly, "No, I'm fine. I've just been thinking." She turned away for a moment, and then looked back to Miroku with a thoughtful look on her face. "Houshi-sama… what do you-?" She was cut off when Kouga's voice called out. "Stop everyone!" Sango and Miroku turned around and saw Ayame cradling a small child on her back. Kouga straightened up and yelled to everybody, "We have to stop here so this child can recover! Everyone keep your wits about you! Inuyasha, Miroku, and I shall take turns keeping watch tonight! There's a grove just a few yards from here! We're going to stop there for the night!"
Hushed voices arose from the prisoners. Some worried, and most relieved. The large mass of people hurriedly made their way to the small grove. Everyone was tired and eager to get a break.
When they arrived, the Auschwitz prisoners were all either asleep or sitting down. Ayame, still carrying the small boy, rushed over to the other six. She could feel tears welling in her eyes as she explained, "Shippo… he's burning up and his breathing has become very shallow. We have to find some medicine for him immediately." Kikyo stepped towards Ayame and offered, "I will go look for some herbs that might help bring his fever down." As Kikyo walked off, Kagome noticed the impressed look on Inuyasha's face as his eyes followed Kikyo, and she knew she also had to help someway. "I'll go find someone who can spare a blanket or something of the like." Ayame nodded. "Please hurry Kagome-chan." Kagome nodded and rushed in the opposite direction Kikyo had taken.
She looked over her shoulder briefly, but it was long enough to notice the small smile on Inuyasha's lips. Kagome smiled to herself and felt like giggling, but she shook her head and looked over all the fugitives searching for someone with a blanket or cloak. She stopped when she spotted an elderly woman sitting by herself on a frost covered rock. Kagome slowly approached the woman.
"Excuse me ma'am, could you spar that cloak you have there? There's a sickly child over there and I would very much appreciate it if…" The woman looked up to Kagome and smiled. "What a noble thing to do. Here; I didn't have a use for it anyway." She said as she removed the cloak from its place draped over her arm. She handed it to Kagome, and Kagome took it suddenly feeling warm inside. She smiled. "You are a very kind old woman. What is your name?" The woman's eyes sparkled with happiness as she replied, "I'm Kaede. Now hurry, child. The little one needs you." Kagome nodded and bowed to Kaede. "Thank you very much, Kaede-sama!" She said as she turned and ran back to Shippo.
She frowned when she reached Shippo and noticed Inuyasha was missing. As she draped the cloak over Shippo, she asked, "Where did Inuyasha go?" Sango looked up to her friend and replied, "He went to go help Kikyo carry the herbs back. They should return soon." A surge of jealousy swept over Kagome, and her eyes suddenly turned very cold. "I see." Was all she could manage to say. She sat by Shippo and stroked the boy's hair. It seemed he was breathing deeper and that made Kagome a tiny bit happier.
When she felt Kagome and Ayame could watch over Shippo on their own, Sango stood up. "I'm going to go check on some of the prisoners." Kagome and Ayame nodded and waved as Sango turned to leave.
An uncomfortable silence fell over Inuyasha and Kikyo as they continued to gather the herbs at the edge of the grove. "Inuyasha…" Kikyo finally spoke up. Inuyasha looked up at Kikyo as she stood from her crouched position. "How…" She began. "… how do you feel about Kagome?" Inuyasha fell over but then sprang back up. "What nonsense are you talking now, Kikyo! I don't-!" Kikyo shook her head. "Inuyasha, you have to stop clinging to a dream of us being together again. Things aren't like they were before. We each have our own missions. You wish to defeat Naraku, but I aim to rescue other fugitives like these people. We can't compromise those goals. We have to… it's just better if we didn't try at a relationship. We're so different now; I don't think we ever could be…"
Inuyasha shook his head violently. "That's not true! I'm sure if we worked hard, we could-!" Kikyo put her hand up to silence Inuyasha. "No, Inuyasha. I can't be with a man who's in love with another woman." Inuyasha thrust his hands into the air with frustration. "I don't love anyone else Kikyo! Only you!" Kikyo wiped at her eyes as pearl colored tears began to form. "You and I both know that's not true. You may not realize it yet, but I know that look in your eyes. I can see through the lies you're telling me. Trust me Inuyasha. Besides, Kagome loves you. I can tell. She's my beloved cousin, and I don't want her fragile heart to be broken. Just as well… the feelings I had for you back then… they… they no longer exist. Please forgive me."
Inuyasha was shocked. Was Kikyo telling him she didn't love him anymore! As Kikyo's words relayed in his mind, he realized they were all true. And reluctantly, he saw the things she had said about Kagome were also true. He loved her, but he didn't want anybody to know. Especially not Kikyo. Inuyasha was snapped from his reverie as the object of his thoughts was suddenly sitting in front of him. Kikyo cupped Inuyasha's cheek in the palm of her hand and leaned towards him. Inuyasha slowly closed his eyes and moved his head closer to Kikyo's.
Sango swung her arms behind her and lightly kicked at the ground as she walked around the grove looking for Miroku. She smiled softly when she came upon him with a small girl in his lap, telling stories to the children. Apparently, they refused to get rest like the adults. Sango quietly sat beside him as he finished his story. "Now you all need to go to bed. We have a long way to go in the morning." The children groaned but dragged themselves back to their parents. The little girl hopped off of Miroku's lap. She looked up to Sango and said, "My name's Koharu. Are you Miroku's wife?" Sango blushed furiously. Little kids had such active imaginations. She saw Miroku open his mouth to speak, but Sango replied in a rush, "Of course not! We're just good friends!" Koharu beamed. "Okey-dokey then!" With that, she skipped off to join the other children.
Sango refused to meet Miroku's gaze as it bore into her. Miroku was staring at Sango's face hoping he would find an explanation for her statement. What had she meant, they were just good friends? He honestly thought there was more to it than that. "Sango, I…" Miroku began, but decided not to finish his sentence. Sango decided then to look up at him. "What is it, Houshi-sama?" Miroku waved his hand. "It's nothing." Sango frowned and persisted, "No! Tell me!" Sango was upset at the sudden change in Miroku's mood. Had she said something wrong? Miroku stood, but leaned down towards Sango before walking off. "We'll talk later, beautiful." With that he planted a light kiss on sango's cheek and took his leave.
Sango was petrified as she watched Miroku walk off. What the heck was that all about! Normally she would've slapped him, but her instincts were slightly slowed. She was baffled to no end and embarrassed more than anything. Miroku smiled to himself as he left Sango sitting alone. He really didn't want to tell Sango what he was thinking right then, he knew it would be better to wait a little longer. While he hadn't known Sango for very long, he had already learned that if he wanted her to drop a subject, the best way was to fluster her. So that's just what he did.
Kagome rocked on her knees impatiently. "Ayame-chan? Could I get Kouga to come here and take a break? I want to look into something." Ayame looked up at Kagome from her half sleep she was woken from. "Huh? Oh, sure. Go right ahead." Kagome nodded her thanks, then left to find Kouga. She found him outside of the grove keeping watch. "Kouga-kun? Would you mind going to watch over Shippo with Ayame? I need to take care of something for myself."
"Of course. Tell Ayame I'll be there in just a moment." Kouga replied. Kagome nodded and walked back into the grove. As she passed Ayame, she gave her Kouga's message then continued walking.
She was looking for Inuyasha and Kikyo, they had been gone long enough, and Kagome was getting worried. What she hadn't expected to find was Inuyasha and Kikyo centimeters away from a kiss. "Ahem!" Kagome cleared her throat very loudly, and the two jumped about six inches off the ground. "Have the two of you finished gathering those herbs yet?" Kikyo suddenly remembered the herbs for Shippo still clenched in her hand. "Oh, yes! I shall go give those to Shippo now!" Kikyo stood up hurriedly and rushed towards the area where Shippo was.
Kagome's foot tapped lightly on the ground, and she said to Inuyasha, her voice dripping with acid, "You should also head back, Inuyasha. It has gotten pretty late." Inuyasha stood hesitantly and approached Kagome. He reached out to her and said in a near whisper, "Kagome, this wasn't-" Kagome jerked away from Inuyasha and said coldly, "I'm not in the mood for your excuses now Inuyasha. I'll speak with you in the morning." With that, she turned and left. Inuyasha stood for a second, digesting her cold words, then followed, keeping a safe distance between them.
That night, Kagome sat staring at the sky while all the others slept. What had she seen back there? She hoped Inuyasha and Kikyo weren't together. Her heart wouldn't be able to take that. Kikyo stirred from her light sleep as Kagome heaved a sad sigh. Kikyo crawled silently over to her cousin and whispered, "Don't be mad at Inuyasha, Kagome. It was my fault. But don't worry. I don't think of him that way anymore. So you can relax." Kagome shot back, "Who said I was worried about that?" Kikyo looked to the sky and glared as she felt a drop of freezing snow drift onto her arm. "It's about to begin snowing. That's just perfect." Kikyo said sarcastically.
Kagome positioned herself a bit sloppily, and a pink translucent barrier was suddenly covering everybody. Kikyo stared at Kagome with amazement. "Kagome, you…" Kagome smiled. "I need the practice. You just go back to sleep and don't worry about me." Kikyo nodded. Before she returned to sleep, she whispered, "Give Inuyasha a chance. He has something very important to tell you very soon." Kikyo winked at her puzzled cousin then lay on the cold ground and lulled herself to sleep. Kagome looked at the white snow sliding off of her barrier. What was Kikyo talking about?
The group set out early the next day. Inuyasha, Kouga, and Miroku, led the group cautiously as they walked through Ardenne Forest. Their weapons were ready if they were to come across Naraku or any of his soldiers.
Sango timidly approached Miroku, still thinking about the night before. She tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around to face her. He waved to the other two and they nodded, allowing him to leave the front with Sango. Once they were out of earshot, Sango began, "I was just thinking about last night… what did you want to tell me?" Miroku nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I…" Miroku didn't get the chance to explain, because the large group suddenly found themselves facing a mass of panicked American soldiers and an even bigger mass of German tanks.