Luna: Chapter 9!
Veron: You're sick! And tired! Why are you typing! You should be sleeping!
Luna: I can't sleep…
Veron: Fine…((Refills Luna's cup with steaming mint tea))
Luna: ThankiesDisclaimer: No, I am not the almighty Rumiko-Sama. I am merely a fan who has a vivid imagination and far too much time on her hands. But this plot line and Reiko, Hiroshi, and Himawari-Sama are ALL MINE!
Chapter 9: Aya
It was raining, the clouds rumbled and the drops of cool water splattered upon the cement grounds of Sunset Shrine. A tall young woman in her late 30's gazed with sorrowful eyes at the young boy standing there. His school uniform clung to his wiry frame like a second skin, his large brown eyes staring emotionlessly at the well house.
" Nii-Chan…"
The woman winced and bit her lip to keep her tears from mixing with the elements. Softly, she stepped over to the child and placed a warm hand on his shoulder. With a sob, he turned crying silently into her chest.
" Souta…I'm sure she's fine. Inuyasha is taking care of her."
Souta's hands clenched the cloth of her blouse harder at the mention of his hero's name. He cried harder, his body shaking with his sorrow.
" I miss her…I miss Inu-oni-chan…"
Kneeling down, she held her son to her and remained strong in his presence. Her eyes shimmered with tears, her hands smoothing his ruffled black bangs. Bangs so reminiscent of her missing daughter…
" I do too."
And the rain continued to fall.
It was the fifth time this week. The fifth time that she hadn't been able to rest and was drawn to the well house. The maternal hand trailed down the slowly rotting wood. None of them could bear to even enter the place; the memories were too vivid. She herself, strong as she was, couldn't enter the building either.
" I will always remember that last day." Her hand was fisted upon her heart, her eyes closed. She would always remember. Kagome hadn't said her farewells to anyone else but her. It hurt her brother and grandfather. But…it was as if Kagome somehow knew she wouldn't come back. She hadn't been able to sleep for the few days she had with them, and when she did, she was restless and crying out in the middle of dreamland.
Memories started to plague her mind.
" Kagome-Chan? I packed your bag, it's all ready to go."
Kagome smiled in thanks, embracing her mother. Turning, she quickly hefted the bag over her shoulder. Inuyasha was standing in the shadows, his gold eyes glowing in the darkness surrounding him.
It was midnight.
" Why are you leaving now? Shouldn't you say good bye to Souta and Grandpa?"
Her daughter's back stiffened and she instinctively knew the reason. Kagome wasn't sure if she'd survive this encounter with Naraku. If anyone of her friends would survive it. She wanted to ensure that any memories her family had of her were happy.
That's why they had her favorite dishes, rented movies, and reminisced the night before. Aya understood this, her maternal instinct had rung alarm bells throughout the night, but she had ignored them. She only wanted to be happy for her daughter after all…
" Mama…"
The woman was thrown from her trance as she gazed at her daughter. Her stormy eyes met her deep black ones and volumes were spoken. Aya smiled softly before tugging the ring around her finger. Her child's eyes widened as she slipped the silver band around her daughter's finger.
" So you never forget any of us…if something should happen." She swallowed convulsively. Aya had never been worried about Kagome's safety before in the Sengoku Jidai, but the impending uncertainty clouded her mind. " And…I'm proud of you. I want you to be happy."
Kagome's eyes filled with tears before launching herself at her mother, whispering thanks in her ear. Aya rubbed her back reassuringly before turning towards Inuyasha and standing before him.
" Inuyasha…" Her voice low so her daughter wouldn't hear her. " I trust you. Please, take care of her. And yourself." With this said, she smiled and hugged the boy, before tugging affectionately on one of his ears.
Standing at the top of the stairs, the unlikely pair stood facing her at the well. Aya sighed and smiled warmly at both of them, wondering if this was truly good bye.
"Whatever happens, know that both of you will always have a place to come home to.
…
Always."
Kagome nodded and smiled before turning to Inuyasha. He nodded and Kagome poised herself to jump through.
But he looked back, and the look in his eyes nearly made Aya cry. A brief smile touched his face before he took hold of Kagome's hand and both went into the dark depths into the past.
It was then that she couldn't help herself. The foreboding sick feeling in her stomach overrode her strength. And she broke down in tears, silently praying for her heart to come back to her.
Both pieces.
Aya turned away from the well house, watching the shadows of her home's light play across the grounds. A breeze made the branches rustle above her head and she turned, to see the Goshinboku. The scar upon its front seemed to glow in the moonlight and she winced. Placing a hand on the mark, she suddenly felt much calmer. As if something spoke to her that everything was fine somehow.
It was more the image of someone in particular.
Shippo was rather losing hope. Miroku and Sango had been gone for over a week now, deep in the lands of the West. Where he had prayed that Kagome was. He blinked and rubbed his eyes as he watched Inuyasha's arrow shimmer and glow.
Curious, the young kitsune perched at the foot of the tree, gazing up at the sleeping boy. Instinctively, he felt the presence of someone behind her, turning he blinked in surprise at the woman behind him. She was transparent and seemed equally surprised to see him.
A memory of pictures from the future entered his mind and the inferences clicked.
" Kagome's okaa-san."
Aya was rather surprised to see the kitsune herself. More over to know that it truly was the boy in all of Kagome's photos from the Sengoku Jidai. His name had been lovingly inked into the back of the image and she smiled.
" Shippo-Chan."
Looking past his tiny form, she saw the sealed form of Inuyasha. She choked on her breath and clasped her hands over her mouth, completely frozen in shock. Finally, she managed to whisper his name in a sorrow only a mother figure is possible of.
Hearing her anguished voice, Shippo winced before gazing up at the woman. He bit his bottom lip, his fangs glittering in the dappled moonlight.
" Shippo-Chan…" The woman's voice lost its shaky tone before gaining one of desperation. " Where is Kagome?"
Aya stared relentlessly into his aquamarine orbs, hoping against all hopes that he knew something. Anything about her whereabouts.
" She…she doesn't remember anything. She lost her memory." He sniffed. " Kagome…she was possessed and sealed Inuyasha. We think…that she's in the West somewhere."
" Is that…all you know?"
" Naraku's dead…and she has half of the jewel with her."
Aya felt tears brew in her eyes, knowing that the small boy wasn't lying. Her baby, didn't remember anything about herself. She was lost to her forever…
" She's gone isn't she…"
Shippo's eyes flashed with determination as he heard those words.
" NO! Sango and Miroku are looking for her! Once they bring her back, the jewel can be whole and Inuyasha can wake up! She will come back! She will…" His voice cracked. " She has to…"
" Kagome wouldn't abandon us…she's not like that."
She smiled, understanding Shippo's undying hope for her daughter's return. If her surrogate grand child could pray, then so could she.
She was a Higurashi. If Shippo didn't give up then neither would she.
" Thank you Shippo. Let's pray for her safe return ne?"
Shippo nodded enthusiastically as the fading image of Kagome's mother dissipated.
" Hear that Inuyasha? You'll wake up eventually!" He smiled slightly as the arrow glimmered in response. Feeling his hope and strength return, he curled into the branches and fell into a light sleep.
Turning away from the tree, she walked away. Knowing that her child was safe somewhere, her soul seemed to be at rest, and the turmoil inside defeated. Stepping inside, she started dinner.
Her eyes never left the Goshinboku.
Luna: I'm sorry this one is so short. But I AM sick. And I always read stories where Kagome is locked away in the past and no one mentions her family's thoughts.
Veron: Nice touch
Luna: Oh…um thanks