Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or the rest of them, blah, blah ,blah, ECT, ECT, ECT …
A/N: I think Kagome would be about 21 here, also the characters might be a little OOC but I figure they must have matured a bit since they finished the jewel so…
CHAPTER 2: Morning Sunlight
But true love is a durable fire
In the mind ever burning;
Never sick, never old, never dead,
From itself never turning.
Sir Walter Raleigh 1552-1618
from Walsingham (my fav poem)
A year has past…The clearing was calm; rays of morning sunlight streamed softly through the trees twinkling on the dew dampened flowers that poked their heads above the grass. The sweet song of a bird calling to its mate rang out through the morning air, followed by the gentle fluttering of wings.
A red and silver blur descended from the sky and landed softly, barely disturbing the grass around him. Sunlight caressed his form, turning his silver hair into a glowing banner down his back and touching the side of his face with gentle warmth.
He stood there quietly, his hands hanging by his side, his head bowed and eyes closed. The quiet of the forest helping to calm the sea of pain and anger that seemed to constantly swell inside him, threatening to eat him alive. Taking a deep breath he slowly raised his head, bringing his face fully into the sunlight, the movement disturbing the delicate chain around his neck. Sunlight reached to touch the round jewel that hung there but seemed to shy away, leaving it in shadow, as if afraid of the darkness that swirled inside it.
" You are a pitiful sight, little brother,"
At the sound of another's voice he slowly he lowered his face and opened his eyes, their golden depths flat and lifeless.
"Sesshomaru," he said it more of a curse than an acknowledgement of demon's presence behind him.
"Here you are cowering in this forest, liking your wounds and all because you're afraid to make a decision," he stepped forward from the shadows of the trees into the sunlight, his own silver hair swaying around him like a silver mantle. "It's pathetic,"
InuYasha turned around and faced his older brother, his face cold
"What do you want Sesshomaru?" his voice echoed the wintry expression his face, his fingers flexing by his side. He was sick of Sesshomaru taunting him. What did he know about how he felt?
Sesshomaru's smile was filled with scornful amusement. "How long will you sulk InuYasha?" he ignored the dangerous look InuYasha gave him, continuing, "All this grief over one small girl, its very touching… and pointless," he deliberately provoked him further.
InuYasha's hand came to his sword but in just a slight movement Sesshomaru was there, his hand on InuYasha's wrist, stopping him. He lent his face close to InuYasha's, his smile gone "Grow up InuYasha … stop this stupidity and make your choice," he let go and stepped back just as the sound of a young girls voice calling his name rang through the trees.
"She can't wait forever," With one last disdainful look he turned around and disappeared through the trees towards the sound of the Rin's voice.
InuYasha didn't move for the longest time, he stood staring at the spot where his brother had been. Was he finally losing his mind? Had Sesshomaru just given him romantic advice? He blinked as the words echoed in his head. 'Make your choice'. His eyes filled with pain. Hadn't he already inadvertently made his choice though? He had never told Kagome how much he cared for her, how much she meant to him, forcing her to make the decision for them both.
'And she made the wrong one' a voice whispered inside him. It was too late though, what could he do to change it? The well was sealed nothing he tried could open it, not holy men, not demon magic not even the jewel. What choice did he have left to make?
As if to answer his question the wind picked up bringing with it a familiar scent.
"Kikyo,"
"I'm glad you haven't forgotten me InuYasha," came her smooth voice. "It's been so long since I last saw you,"
Slowly he turned around and faced her. Her soul stealers drifted around him in an eerie silence that seemed to encircle them, shielding them from the outside world. This past year he had not seen her, had deliberately avoided her, now as he watched her move closer to him, he wondered why he felt nothing, no happiness, no relief, no …love? Love. It had been a year and he had felt nothing, no desire to see her, had barely thought of her, but every moment since he had last seen Kagome seemed to burn like an arrow in his chest, ripping him apart. Kikyo's hands captured his; startled he looked down at them then back up at her face.
" InuYasha we can finally be together, forever," her eyes rested on the jewel, a slight smile touching her lips, as she stepped closer and lay her head on his chest.
Together forever with Kikyo? No. No. No! His whole being seemed to scream it. Why? Wasn't it what he had always wanted? Isn't that what he had been fighting for all that time?
… No.
Was Sesshomaru right? Was he afraid? Afraid to make a decision? No! His heart screamed there was never a decision to make. Never a decision? His eyes widened as he finally comprehended what it was his heart was trying to tell him.
He drew his hands from hers and stepped back, his eyes never leaving her face. Her face had once been so dear to him; the one spot of light in his dark life but even looking at her now, another face blocked his vision.
"I did care for you Kikyo," his voice was soft. " I did,"
Her face froze and her eyes flew to his. "What are you saying?"
"I think that even if Naraku had not turned us against each other we would have eventually parted, we had no faith in each other," he looked down at his hands "You were the first person to care for me and I truly cared for you but …I mistook what I felt for you as love," he looked up at her "and I kept telling myself that, because I was scared, scared of the way Kagome made me feel. I hid behind the feelings I had for you and I hurt the one person I should have protected,"
"Is that what you've been telling yourself?" she shook her head " You're wrong. You're mine InuYasha!"
He looked at her; his eyes filled with regret and shook his head "I'm sorry Kikyo,"
"She is gone InuYasha, you made your decision," her eyes blazed with anger.
He looked at her barely seeing her, in his mind he saw a different girl whose eyes sparkled with the happiness of life not the dull pain of death. A girl who would give up her own happiness for his.
"Kikyo, there was never a decision for me to make," His voice filled with realisation "It was made the moment I saw her," his hand came up to hold the darkened Shikon Jewel in his palm, his eyes glistening with tears at what he should have known so much sooner… at all the pain he had caused because he'd been afraid to admit it to himself.
" I love…I love …Kagome," he whispered in awe
An inhuman sound tore from Kikyo's throat. "It doesn't matter, It's too late!" she reached for him again but as Kagome's name fell from his lips, a blinding light burst from the jewel burning away the darkness inside. It spread between them, covering them, as warm as sunlight. InuYasha watched as Kikyo's face faded into the brightness in front of him, her expression peaceful. He wanted to call out to her but at that moment the light exploded, filling the clearing. InuYasha let go of the jewel and covered his eyes against the blinding light; he felt it rush around him, enclosing him in its embrace before shooting up into the sky in two long streams that coiled around and around each other.
In the distance Sesshomaru stopped and looked up into the sky and smiled.
"Oh! It's so pretty!" cried Rin in excitement, pointing to the two ribbons of light that reached above the clouds.
Jaken raised his head and looked at the lights, his eyes widening at the sight. What could that be? Looking over at his master he was about to ask if he knew but he froze as he saw the smile on his face. Not a smile filled with malice or intent but simply a smile of genuine pleasure.
"L…L…Lord Sesshomaru?" he stuttered. Sesshomaru turned to look at him scaring him even more as his smile widened.
"It seems InuYasha finally stopped sulking," he turned away and walked off, Rin skipping happily after him, leaving Jaken standing there in shock, his expression altering between horror and bewilderment.
Kagome's Time2 years later…
His arm came around her, his hand settling on the gentle curve of her stomach, the tips of his fingers brushing her sensitive skin, causing her toes to curl in pleasure. His lips traced their way along her shoulder until they found the curve of her neck. She shivered as she felt his tongue touch her and his teeth graze her skin. She moaned in pleasure and turned reaching for him…
Kagome's eyes opened and she slowly sat up, the blankets pooling around her waist. Raising her hands, she looked at them as if they were foreign to her. Why? Why did she have to keep having the same dream over and over? Every time she reached for him, only to wake with nothing but a feeling of emptiness that threatened to swallow her whole. Why couldn't she just forget?
A warm breeze drifted through the window making the sheer white curtains float gently up before settling back into place. Her eyes traced their movement; they reminded her of his hair as it trailed behind him in the wind. She squeezed her eyes closed and covered her face with her hands. Stop it. It's been three whole years, this has to stop. But it wouldn't. Everyday she told herself the same thing and everyday she woke with his name on her lips, her hands reaching for him and the hollow feeling that always followed.
Opening her eyes, a flash of red outside drew her attention to the window again. Pushing aside her bedding she stood and walked over to the warm patch of sunlight that spilled onto the floor. Looking out she saw what had caught her attention. Sweet pea flowers. Their perfume surrounded her as they danced in the morning sunlight, their red petals fluttering in the breeze. Kagome lent against the window frame as in her mind the beauty of the morning was replaced by a vision of a figure dressed in red, his face as clear to her as the moment she had last seen him.
InuYasha. Would she ever be able to forget him? Ever be able to get through a day without every little thing reminding her of him? This pain couldn't last forever, could it? She shivered in the warm sun. Wrapping her arms around herself, she closed her eyes and a single tear trailed down her cheek. She was so cold. Would she ever feel warm again?
"Thank you for coming to the Red Dog. Please come again," Kagome smiled and bowed as the last customers left. Blowing the hair from her eyes, she sighed and looked at the mess around her. The Red Dog was a popular Irish themed bar and Saturday was one of their busiest nights, tonight had been no exception. She had been lucky to get a job here, the pay was great, and as an added bonus the owner of the bar provided accommodation in a lovely old building not too far away. She had thought moving away from the shrine would make it easier but the memories followed her haunted her no matter where she went. Kagome hands clenched over the bottle top she had bent to pick up.
"Was that the last of them?" called a female voice from behind the bar, breaking her melancholy thoughts. Standing up straight she answered and reached to close the door
"Yeah. I'm going to lo---," she stopped as a foot was stuck in the door stopping her from closing it. Looking around the door her eyes widened in surprise at the vaguely familiar face.
"Hojo?" she pulled back the door to let him in.
"Hello Kagome. Long time no see," he joked as he stepped in.
"What are you doing here?" she asked
"I saw you earlier tonight but you were so busy I couldn't even get in the door," he was slightly out of breath having run to catch her before she closed the door. "So I thought I'd come back around closing time,"
" I haven't seen you since we finished school," she looked at his hair, cut short and dyed bright green. "I nearly didn't recognise you," she said smiling. He smiled back self consciously touching his hair.
"Well you haven't changed a bit," he said looking her up and down.
Kagome smiled to herself, that's what you think, she thought. Her eyes darkened, there was nothing like a shattered heart to change a person.
"Oh I'm sorry if I insulted you. I meant it as a compliment," he apologised as her silence continued. Kagome looked up and shook her head about to reassure him when a voice interrupted.
"Everything alright Kagome?"
Kagome and Hojo turned to look at the tall red head standing behind the bar.
"It's fine Kerry. This is Hojo, a friend of mine from high school," gesturing toward the red head, she introduced her "Hojo this is Kerry, she's the manager here," Hojo and Kerry nodded at each other in greeting. Kagome frowned slightly, what was with Kerry? She was normally extremely friendly, always greeting people with a hug or a warm handshake or at least a friendly 'hello'.
"I was wondering if you'll be finished work soon?" Hojo was asking, "Maybe we could grab a bite to eat?"
"Oh…I don't know if…" she looked back at Kerry who shook her head
"Got to help Suzume and Michi get the kitchen clean for the inspector tomorrow," she said, " We'll be here a couple more hours yet," her eyes were hard as she looked at Hojo. Kagome raised an eyebrow… Inspector?
"That's ok," Hojo smiled cheerfully at Kagome " How about when you have a night off?"
Kagome inwardly grimaced, she couldn't say no, it would hurt his feelings, but dating was something she avoided like the plague. It didn't seem right to be with someone when all she could think of was another person. She dug her fingernails into her palm. That is exactly why you should go, he has probably forgotten all about you. You should forget about him. He's probably very happy with Kikyo. A small voice inside her taunted. Fine I will then, she responded.
"Ok," she said nodding her head. " I have Tomorrow night off… if that's ok?"
Hojo nodded enthusiastically "Where shall I meet you?"
Kagome reached into the waist of her apron took out her pen and pad, writing her address down, she handed it to him. "This is my address. Is 7 o'clock ok for you?"
He took the piece of paper; and surprised her by leaning over and kissing her cheek,
"That's great I'll see you then," a cheerful grin on his face, he nodded to the frowning Kerry and ducked back out the door. Kagome stood for a minute staring at the door then sighing, locked it. Turning around she eyed the frowning red head wondering what was wrong but deciding she didn't really want to know right now, ignored her and went to help the others clean the already spotless kitchen.
Kagome pulled her coat around her and walked beside Hojo down the street toward the train station. As they stopped on the corner, waiting for the traffic to pass, she took a deep breath of the fresh cold night air. She was so tired, her back ached, and her feet were swollen, why had she agreed to this date? It had been a disaster. She would be glad to go home and go to bed. She groaned as she thought of her date tomorrow night. Why did she always end up doing the one thing she didn't want to do? She really should stop listening to that voice inside her head; it only got her in trouble.
Hojo turned and smiled at her and Kagome plastered a smile on her face. It wasn't his fault the evening had flopped, all through the great dinner and the highly acclaimed movie, he had been charming and attentive; a first class date. However, she had been barely able to manage any decent responses to his attempts at conversation and her mind had been elsewhere. As always her thoughts had drifted to 'him' but something else had been nagging her all day as well. A strange feeling, as if she were being watched.
A chill that had nothing to do with the cold shot down her spine making her shiver. She could feel it; someone or something was watching her and that only meant one thing. Demon. Turning she looked at the crowds of people moving around her. It was impossible to make out anyone suspicious with this many people around. She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, just what she needed. She started as Hojo grabbed her hand urging her to cross the street.
She was going to have to ditch him, she thought as he let go of her hand on the other side of the street. It would be safer if she dealt with this now by herself, she didn't want him to get hurt. Looking ahead she spied a narrow alley to the right, slowing down to walk just behind him in the crowd she stepped into the alley and out of sight. She would ring in the morning and tell him she'd lost him in the crowd. Quickly walking down the alley she came out onto a quieter street, looking around her again she still couldn't make out anyone. Oh well, she thought and took another left and two more right turns that led her to a small park surrounded by large trees. At this time of night it was deserted, the only light coming from two street lamps. Looking up at the moonless sky she realised tomorrow night was the new moon, not for the first time, she wondered if InuYasha would be ok. A bitter smile crossed her mouth; it probably didn't worry him anymore.
A slight noise behind her made her turn. Standing in front of her was a man of about 30, dressed in leather and jeans. She didn't bother to ask him who he was or what he wanted, it was clear to her that he was a demon and she doubted he wanted to talk. Reaching into her pocket she took out one of the slips of paper she always carried, holding it between her fingers. He smirked, not impressed, and launched himself at her. She held up the O-fudo, her lips moved silently and the paper flew to him sticking over his eyes. He tore at it but streams of light already poured from it wrapping around and around him until his body shattered, all that was left, a small ball of light that ascended into the sky.
Kagome watched it disappear, that was a little too easy, she thought. You didn't get many strong demons around here… but still that had been pathetic. Shrugging her shoulders she shoved her hands into her pockets she turned to go, only to stop as three men jumped down from the trees and landed in front of her blocking her way.
Oh no, was her only thought as the first attack came. She threw herself out of the way, landing on the ground on her side. Her hands came to her pocket searching for another O-fudo but a hand wrenched her arm back and pulled her to her feet, the papers scattering in the breeze.
"I don't think so," a rough voice said as she felt the cold steel of the small switch blade he was holding pierce her arm. She gasped in pain and looked up at her capturer. He raised his hand as if intending to stab her again when the sound of ripping flesh came from behind him. He roughly pushed her aside and she landed in the dirt the back of her head hitting a small rock.
Turning her head she blinked as she tried to focus on what was going on, but her vision was rapidly blurring. She could she the mans two companions crumpled on the ground, standing above them, facing the one who had stabbed her was another man dressed in black with … she blinked trying to clear her vision but all she could make out was a blur of silver around his head …silver hair? Did the man have silver hair? She tried to sit up and get a better look but pain radiating through her arm causing her to fall back down. Darkness swam before her eyes and she felt as if she was being pulled under but she felt to week to fight it. Who was he? Just as she lost consciousness she a familiar voice yell "IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!"
A/N:Ah gee, wonder who it could be? I'm almost finished with the next chapter. It's just hard to type with my brother hanging over my shoulder (it's got a lemon in it blush) Oh, also I'm sorry but I couldn't resist sticking an Irish pub in there, I saw one when we went to Tokyo to see my Bro, and it cracked me up.