A/N: Oh... My... Gosh... you guys are so nice to me! I complained a little bit, and suddenly got like, more reviews than ever! Well, some of them weren't for the last chapter, but still.. I got pushed over the 300 mark. Wow. I know some of it is just that I have a lot of chapters, but even so, I want to thank all of you. Now let's get down to the story...
Disclaimer: I love arts and crafts and the anime/manga entitled Inu Yasha created by Rumiko Takahashi! Yay!
Previously:
"But- what about Kagome? We haven't seen her for awhile. I miss her," Shippou looked at the ground.
"Maybe some of us can pay her a visit," Sango said from the doorway. She was far enough along in her pregnancy that it took her the longest to answer Shippou's call. "I, for one, want to hear what she has to say about this mess…" The boys looked at the pregnant taijiya, and then at each other.
"Shippou, why don't you take Sango and Kirara to find her?" Miroku suggested. Shippou nodded, and Sango smiled gratefully at her husband.
"Let's get ready," Sango said, turning and stepping outside the room. "We're leaving Inu Yasha to you, Miroku and Kohaku."
"Right!" they replied in unison. Sango let out a giggle, and turned down the hallway. She loved the boys in her life. Shippou followed Sango out of the room, and they began to prepare for their departure.
'Now's my chance to get to the bottom of this,' Sango thought to herself as she made her way outside.
chapter 18: girl talk
On the way to Sesshoumaru's castle, Shippou and Sango discussed Kagome and Inu Yasha's relationship.
"Miroku said something about Kagome deciding to stay with Sesshoumaru," Shippou said slowly, once they had taken flight. Sango nodded.
"I don't understand it. I mean, I know that Kagome would want to stay to bury Rin, but- this seems to run a little deeper." Shippou looked saddened by this.
"Sango, what do you think would happen if Kagome decided to stay with Sesshoumaru?" he asked honestly. Kirara let out a growl in response to the question. Sango looked down in thought.
"I honestly don't know. She and Inu Yasha were so close- I can't help but worry about Inu Yasha, if she decides on Sesshoumaru. And- who's to say that Sesshoumaru will take Kagome, anyway?" Shippou shrugged.
"I dunno- but… Inu Yasha seems to be serious about it. It wasn't anything like how he was when Kouga tried to take Kagome." Sango nodded, and then put a hand on Shippou's shoulder.
"We'll get to the bottom of this, Shippou."
"Mm."
When Sesshoumaru and Kagome returned to the castle, they immediately parted ways. Kagome couldn't wait to get out of her hot, oppressive clothes and into something lighter. She quickly dressed in a yukata, and removed the circlet from her head. Tying her hair up in a higher ponytail, she decided to make good use of the freedom that Sesshoumaru claimed she had at the castle. She stepped into the hallway, and decided to go for a walk.
Somehow, though she hadn't planned it, Kagome found herself in front of Rin's bedroom. Sighing, she opened the door and stepped inside. Usually, she would have felt like she was intruding- but for some reason she felt a sense of peace, instead. She walked inside the room, and went toward the desk. Rin had several pieces of paper piled there, most of which were kanji that Kagome had been teaching her. Kagome felt tears begin to well up in her eyes, but she fought them back. She smiled gently as she saw Rin's scrawling in the corner- she must have gotten bored while practicing. In hiragana, Kagome could make out the words "I love Sesshoumaru." She read these out loud.
"What are you doing here?" Sesshoumaru asked, taking Kagome by surprise. Her heart jumped in surprise, and she felt the sudden burst of adrenaline run through her body. Had he heard her? Did he know that she was reading those words?
"Heh, heh," she laughed nervously and turned around to face Sesshoumaru, the paper still in hand. "I was just reading…" she trailed off. She looked at the youkai lord, who seemed to be staring at her in awe.
And he was staring at her in awe. He had decided to come to Rin's room, and pack things up- as a way to help him get over the loss. When he arrived at the room, he was surprised to see Kagome. At first, his eyes tricked him into thinking it was Rin- he hadn't even picked up Kagome's scent. Somehow, while she was in the room, her scent blended into the scent of Rin. He stood there momentarily, until he heard her mutter three words. When he asked her what she was doing, Kagome turned to face him. To Sesshoumaru, it happened almost as if it was in slow motion. While he knew it was Kagome who stood before him, it was like he could see the spirit of Rin inside of her. He would have stared at her longer, but Kagome was beginning to get nervous- as was Sesshoumaru.
"Please join me for dinner tonight," was all he could eke out before he turned and left Kagome's presence.
'What was that about?' Kagome wondered. Sesshoumaru didn't seem upset that she was going through Rin's things. No… he seemed more like he was… caught off guard- which is something she had never seen before. Kagome stared at the empty doorway in puzzlement, playing over the words that had just been spoken.
'What was that?' Sesshoumaru asked himself as he walked back down the hallway to go outside. 'What was that?' He couldn't find a quick answer for himself. He decided to take a quick dip in the onsen before dinnertime. Maybe he could better sort things out if his body was more relaxed.
Sango, Shippou, and Kirara arrived at their destination around dusk. Just as they dismounted, Shippou spotted Jaken running out to meet them.
"Look, it's the toad!" he told his companions. Sango giggled. Jaken really did look like a toad- or, well, like a mix between a toad and a penguin. He was really a sight to see, running-err, wobbling toward them with his giant staff.
"What have you come for?" Jaken asked when he arrived, out of breath.
"We're here to see Kagome," Sango informed him. "Take us to her, if you please."
"I'm sorry," Jaken began, "but…"
"She's preparing for dinner," Sesshoumaru interrupted. Jaken sweatdropped, and nervously looked up at Sesshoumaru, who now stood behind him. He hadn't even sensed his master's approach. Sango and the others turned their attention to the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru almost cringed at their scent- he could smell the injured Inu Yasha on their clothes. "You are welcome to attend, on one condition." They looked at each other, wondering what it could possibly be that he wanted. "Jaken."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"See that they are taken care of, and prepared for dinner."
"Yes." Jaken bowed to his master, and Sesshoumaru nodded to the guests before leaving. "Follow me," Jaken told the visitors, and led them toward the castle.
"What is the condition, exactly?" Sango asked, leaning forward a little.
"No doubt Sesshoumaru-sama smells the scent of his brother on your clothes." In a softer voice, he added, "how great of Sesshoumaru-sama to be so hospitable to even his lowly brother's friends." Jaken looked back warily at the three annoyed guests who followed him. "Dinner is a formal affair, so act accordingly." After a few minutes, they found themselves in a small room. Jaken hurried out, and moments later reappeared, providing clothing for Sango and Shippou, as well as a ribbon for Kirara. "I'll be back to summon you to dinner," he told them before leaving the three visitors to themselves.
Sesshoumaru had just finished bathing in the onsen when he smelled the arrival of a pregnant woman with a kitsune and neko youkai. When he greeted the guests, they smelled strongly of his little brother. Although the scent of death was not on them, he could tell that the wounds he inflicted on Inu Yasha were great. Sesshoumaru decided not to tell Kagome of their arrival. It was almost time for dinner, so she was probably preparing for it now. She would see them at dinner soon enough.
Kagome was in fact, preparing for the dinner at that very moment. She decided to pull her hair back into a half-ponytail, and had already dressed in a pink silk kimono with a pastel yellow underdress and red obi. Yes, this felt much better than that horrible, heavy, uncomfortable uneme dress. This was much lighter, and allowed her to move with much more freedom. There came a tap at the door, and Kagome exited her room, following Jaken to the usual dining spot.
She was more than surprised to find Sango, Shippou, and Kirara waiting for her at the dinner table. "You guys!" she exclaimed excitedly. "I've missed you!" Sango, Shippou, and Kirara all rose from their places. Shippou and Sango hugged Kagome, while Kirara gave her a nuzzle. "How is everything? How have you been?" She asked, once they all returned to their seats. Sango began to give Kagome a synopsis on their situation at the castle. Shippou joined in, and was about to tell Kagome how Inu Yasha was doing, when Jaken announced the arrival of his master.
Sango, Shippou, and Kirara all stared in awe at Sesshoumaru, who was dressed differently from the way they were used to seeing him. Even when he came out to greet them, he was dressed in his usual white clothes- albeit without the armor. Now, however, he was wearing a dark blue haori and black pants, with a yellow belt. The dark colors of his clothing brought out his pale features and sparkling silver hair. He sat down soundlessly, and looked at everyone.
"Have you found everything well?" he asked courteously. Sango and Shippou blinked in surprise. He was considerably different from the Sesshoumaru that they were familiar with in their minds. He was much more- polite. They nodded in affirmation. "Then, help yourselves," he said, holding his hand out, gesturing to the food. Shippou and Sango looked at Kagome, who smiled, and began to pick from dishes and add them to her plate. Her friends followed her lead. Once they overcame the commotion of picking dishes to eat from, the silence was almost deafening.
"So- Sango," Kagome said, hoping to break the awkward silence. "How is the baby doing?" She looked down at the bulge Sango was carrying.
"Good," she replied, putting a hand to her tummy. "It kicks a lot, now. It's almost time for it to be born. In fact, I think I might leave in a day or so, to go back to Kaede's." Kagome nodded.
"That's a good idea. Will Miroku go with you?"
"I'd like him to. Shippou and Kohaku would stay with…" Sango glanced sidelong at her host, and continued in a hushed voice, "…with Inu Yasha…" Kagome nodded. Sesshoumaru merely sipped his tea. It was no surprise to him that his brother was laid up with injuries. And why wouldn't he be? He would have killed Inu Yasha if Kagome hadn't intervened. Suddenly, Sesshoumaru found himself looking at the miko.
'What are her feelings?' was the question he found himself asking. For the first time about anything, he was unsure. A few weeks ago, he wouldn't have cared about her feelings one way or another- but somehow, she was becoming more important to him. Sesshoumaru took a bite of food and closed his eyes. Yes, even after the hectic day and the problems she caused with his vassals, he wanted her by his side. What about Rin? Had he forgotten his feelings for her? No- on the contrary. It seemed as though his feelings for Rin only served to strengthen his attitude toward Kagome- as well as his desire for her to stay by his side. 'If this keeps up… Inu Yasha…' he trailed off in his thoughts. This was not something to be thinking of while at dinner with guests.
"Thank you for the meal," he said quietly. He opened his eyes and looked at Kagome and her friends. "You are welcome to stay here and discuss matters. Make yourselves comfortable." With that, Sesshoumaru rose and exited the gazebo. "Jaken," he called over his shoulder.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama," he responded loyally.
"We're leaving." Jaken looked nervously at Kagome and her comrades before running after his master. The four friends looked at him run after Sesshoumaru. Sango giggled, thinking that he also looked like a green penguin with clothes from the back.
"Ne," Kagome began, once she believed they were out of earshot, "how is Inu Yasha?"
"He's still recovering," Shippou told her. "The wound in his throat is only just now beginning to close." Sango nodded. Kagome winced, remembering the awful crackling the shouki made as it ate away the muscles in his neck. "Still- he's in a lot of pain, and hasn't really moved from the bed." Kagome looked surprised.
"Are you serious?" she asked. "If- if he wasn't transformed, I don't want to think of what would have happened…" she trailed off.
"Transformed?" Sango asked, confused.
"Mm," Kagome began to tell them about the transfusion ritual between the two brothers that had taken place the night Inu Yasha arrived at the castle.
"Wow," was all Sango and Shippou could say. After a few moments of awe, Sango began another tangent.
"Kagome- Inu Yasha sounded worried about something. He only drifted in and out of consciousness a few times, but each time he mentioned you- and he seemed worried that you decided to stay here." Kagome nodded.
"I knew he would be," she said softly.
"Then, it's true? Why did you stay?" Sango asked fervently. Kagome shook her head.
"Rin-- Rin died. I know that Inu Yasha feels sorry for what happened- but Sesshoumaru is the one who truly feels the loss. Even though I was only with her for a week, I also wanted to mourn her death. I think that Rin was the first person who Sesshoumaru ever opened his heart to. You've also experienced loss, Sango. And you too, Shippou. You should both know how important and valuable it is to share feelings with those who understand your grief." At this, Sango and Shippou nodded.
"I understand," Sango told her. "But, Inu Yasha's worry seemed to run deeper than you staying here for just a few extra days…" the taijiya looked at her friend, concern in her eyes. Kagome's face fell, and her eyes were downcast. "It seems as though you're wavering between the two brothers," Sango said softly. She looked at Shippou, gesturing for him that it was now a time for girl talk. Shippou nodded and rose from his seat.
"I'll see you in a little bit," he told them. Kagome barely nodded, while Sango looked up at him with appreciation. When he left, Kagome looked at her best girlfriend.
"I- I don't know my feelings anymore, Sango," she began, tears welling up in her eyes. Sango rubbed her friend's back.
"Almost two weeks ago, you were committed to Inu Yasha. What could have happened for you to change your mind- or at least, think about changing your mind?" Kagome looked at Sango.
"Well, the second night I was here, I was… temporarily marked by Sesshoumaru." Sango's eyes widened.
"You were- what? What… what does that mean?" Kagome proceeded to tell Sango the details of what had happened. Barring nothing, she told her best friend about what had happened the following night, when they shared a kiss. Continuing on, Kagome revealed the changes she had begun to see in Sesshoumaru- and the changes she herself began to have in her feelings concerning him.
"I'm not sure if the feelings I have are leftover from that mark, but Inu Yasha thinks that I've been brainwashed. Only… that's not the case," Kagome finished. Sango stared at her friend with gentle eyes.
"I see. You have quite a decision to make." 'At least I know the situation a little better, now..' she thought. "Kagome- it seems you are an important person to both brothers. No matter which one you choose to stay with… it will cause pain for the other." Kagome nodded. "But… no matter what, Kagome, you can talk to me. Know that you can tell me whatever is on your mind." Once more, tears welled up in Kagome's eyes. Seeing this, Sango embraced her friend. Kagome, overwhelmed, and finally able to have someone hold her, released all of her pent-up sadness. She wrapped her arms around her friend, and began to sob.
"This is bo-ring," Shippou said, staring up at his hands. He had been in their quarters for about 30 minutes, now, and had laid down on the futon to pass the time. It didn't seem to be passing any faster however, much to Shippou's discontent. He sat up. An interesting thought had just entered his mind. This was a big castle… much like the one they had been at. There was probably a library somewhere, or maybe an art studio, or even a music room. Hoping to shake off his boredom, Shippou decided to go exploring.
As the kitsune youkai walked down the hallway, he smelled the very faint scent of Inu Yasha. 'I wonder where his trail leads,' he thought, and traced the scent. A few moments later, he found himself in a giant library. Continuing to trace Inu Yasha's scent, he found himself in front of a bookcase full of tactical maneuver training scrolls. "Oooh," he said, interested. He had trained with Inu Yasha for the past few years, but it would be interesting to see other possible maneuvers. After all, much of Inu Yasha's tactics involved swinging the Tetsusaiga around; something that he didn't do. Hand-to-hand combat and fox magic was what he really wanted to learn. Picking up a scroll, he unfurled it and began to study its contents. Shippou was enthralled with the maneuvers that it described as well as the step-by-step processes it gave on how to execute them. He was too enthralled, however; he did not hear- or smell- the lord of the castle approaching him.
"What are you doing in here?" Sesshoumaru asked authoritatively, towering over the kitsune youkai. Shippou looked up in fear and surprise. Suddenly, Shippou remembered that Inu Yasha wasn't around to save him from Sesshoumaru. For the first time in a long time, he remembered what it was like to be alone, with no one but himself on whom to rely.
A/N: Thanks for reading my story so far! I hope that you will review and tell me your comments and feelings when you read this chapter!
Review Responses:
kandy42: I don't think that will happen in this alternate ending. Anyway, I will continue to add chapters until everything is resolved. Please continue to review! And, um... I don't know what "deal" you're talking about...
InuyashaGal: Yay! You're my 300th reviewer!.! Thanks so much!.!
Steph: Thanks! I try to base this story on actual actions the characters would make. Hey, how come you didn't review all my other chapters?
destinyheart15: Thanks! That comment really means a lot to me.
Beulah Page: Yay! Thanks for the explanation about so few reviews. It was just... weird. I remembered what it was like when I first started posting the story... Sweet! Thanks for the compliment of the quality of my work! I try really hard to make everything go smoothly, and the storyline to make sense not only content-wise, but also time-wise (if only one day passes, I'm not gonna pretend like it was a week).
Bethany A: hahahaha!.! Exactly! I'm glad you found this story. I hope it doesn't disappoint you!
Huuge thanks go out to: hanyouxmiko990 (I agree), Karan523 (Thanks for the compliment, and for recommending me to your sis! Whoo!), -SohmaShiroganeInuYasha-Fangirl, sheenachi, toxiclollipop (was it what you expected? cool if it was, since I usually don't do what you expect-- ehehe!), Golden-Eyed-Girl, zookie78 (Yay! those are questions I ask myself, too!), shonuff64, Exunamoon (welcome back! I haven't seen you in a while), duckgirl566 (you probably liked the other ending better, right?), hermonine (thank you! You are so faithful! You have my utmost appreciation!), and whimsy.