"The End to the Feudal Fairy Tale"
Chapter 5
Author's Notes: Sorry about the long, long, long wait this time. I moved out of my dorm and back to the slow Internet connection, which also happened to be down for a while. In any case, I'm going to try to get my chapters out a bit faster. Thanks to all of you who have decided to read. Please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, though I would like to. All I own is my fan art. All characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The story is mine though, so please respect it.
"It seems that I require more and more souls to hold myself together lately." She glanced down and slowly flexed her hand. "This body of clay and dirt will not last much longer. We will have to end this soon."
vvvvvvvvvv
At first light, Inuyasha woke the group and insisted that they head for Kaede's village. It was going to be a long venture with Kirara in poor condition. Kagome stood from her sleeping bag. "Inuyasha, how are we going to get there without Kirara to take us?"
He folded his arms.
"I hate to say it, but Kagome-sama is right." Miroku walked over to Sango who still cradled Kirara and looked as though she hadn't slept at all last night. He ran a hand along the cat's furry head. "There's no way that we could get there in a day."
Kagome thought hard. Who could they ask for help? Maybe they could get some horses from a nearby village, or perhaps there was a friend nearby? There was no one she could think of. She just couldn't let Kirara die out here because of something silly like that. "Inuyasha?"
"What?" he replied.
"Could you take Kirara?" she started.
"And leave you here? I don't think so." he huffed. "Naraku could still be close."
"Maybe there's a village nearby?" Sango said.
"Not any that could properly care for a demon." Miroku chimed in.
The disappointment was evident in Sango's sad face. "We'll just have to travel by foot and hope," she steeled her nerves, "that she can hold out until we get there."
"Sango-chan-"
Suddenly, Inuyasha sniffed the air and his expression turned to one of disgust. "Damn."
"What is it?" Kagome questioned.
"Nothing, just the last person I wanted to see." He turned his nose up. "Keh."
Kagome closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on anyone that might be nearby. Who would upset Inuyasha just by showing up? Well, a lot of people fit that description. She thought harder. Inuyasha was upset, but not as if he feared for his life. Who could that be?
"HEY!"
She was jolted out of her thoughts as her feet left the ground and she found herself in the arms of a familiar demon. "Kouga-kun?" she blinked.
"Get your filthy paws off of her!" Inuyasha yelled.
"And why should I mutt face? She clearly doesn't mind." He retorted.
Inuyasha's ears flattened and Kagome watched the sadness wash across his face before it was replaced by anger. "I don't give a damn! Just put her down!"
"Um. Kouga-kun?"
"Yes my dear Kagome?"
"Could you put me down please?" she politely stated.
"Anything for you."
"Keh." Inuyasha resumed his usual façade. "What do you want you mangy wolf?"
Kouga grabbed Kagome's hands and held them between his own. "Why, to see my lovely woman of course."
"She ain't your woman!"
The two men moved
towards one another glaring. Kagome jumped from her position and
placed a hand on each of their chests. "Now hold on guys!"
She gently pushed them back. "No fighting!"
"But-"
"No. Inuyasha, I said no fighting and I mean it. Kouga might be able to help us."
The wolf prince stepped back and bowed. "Anything for you, my Kagome." She blushed. "What is it that you need?"
Miroku held back an irate hanyou while Kagome explained their situation to Kouga. "I don't see why you're so upset, Inuyasha, she's only trying to help her friends." Miroku whispered.
"I don't care! We don't need his kind of help!" he struggled.
"Yes we do. Do you see Sango over there?"
Inuyasha turned his head to see Sango sitting on the cave floor, stroking Kirara's head absently. She seemed to be in a trance. The fire cat just lay there, breathing heavily. "Yeah."
"Do you know how much it pains me to see her like that?"
"Keh."
"Besides, you know that without help from Kouga, we won't make it in time for Kirara." Miroku released his grip on Inuyasha.
The hanyou shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Yeah. But I still don't like it. He gets too close to Kagome."
"A little jealous maybe?" he taunted.
"Keh."
vvvvvvvvvv
Within the hour, Kouga and a few of his companions had managed to gather a pair of horses for their travel needs. The horses seemed to be very afraid of Kouga's wolves, but nevertheless, complied with their orders. Sango and Miroku climbed onto the horses' backs.
"You'd better let Kagome take Kirara." Inuyasha spoke up.
"Huh?"
"I'm faster than any horses." He boasted.
"He's right." Kagome broke her conversation with Ginta and Hakkaku to look Sango in the eye. "We'll get to the village first. It's best if we take Kirara so that she can be cared for as soon as possible." Sango seemed reluctant to let go of her pet. Kagome walked to her side and reached a kind hand up to her friend's shoulder. "It'll be alright, Sango. Please trust me."
"I trust you." Sango whispered. She cautiously handed her precious bundle to Kagome.
"Kagome?" Kouga closed the distance between them. "I thought you'd be coming with me."
"Kouga-kun-" she turned.
"You know I'm faster than mutt face over there. Let me take you."
"That's very kind Kouga-kun, but I can't." Kagome let her eyes meet Inuyasha's. She tried to hold back her feelings, but she knew that she couldn't if she kept staring at those golden orbs. He'd been so nice yesterday, and she'd be going home tonight. Besides, she rationalized, even with the jewel shards, Inuyasha was faster than Kouga when he was on a mission. A mission. That gave Kagome a great idea.
"There's no way she's going with you! That's final!" Inuyasha shouted.
"Are you going to stop me dog shit?"
"Yeah!" he reached for Tetsusaiga.
"Inuyasha-"
"No, Kagome-"
"Osuwari!" Kagome screamed. Inuyasha slammed into the ground, but somehow managed to keep glaring. She took a step closer and eyed him evilly. "OSUWARI!" Inuyasha's face found the dirt yet again. Pushing her frustration aside, she approached Kouga first. "Kouga-kun?"
"Yes dearest Kagome?" he smiled.
"I have a special mission for you."
vvvvvvvvvv
Inuyasha had to concentrate on getting to Kaede's village to keep himself from laughing. Kagome was lying in his arms, cradling Kirara. If he laughed, she could easily see it. So, he raced through the trees at top speed, chuckling to himself over Kouga's "special" mission. The look on his face had been priceless when Kagome ran into the cave and returned with a sleepy Shippo. It was even funnier when she told Kouga that she needed him to carry Shippo and protect Sango and Miroku. Kouga very nearly cried, but in order to keep his pride, he had to accept her terms.
Now Inuyasha just had to make sure that they made it to Kaede tonight. He was certain that Kirara couldn't hold out much longer than that. He tensed. If Kirara didn't make it, Sango would likely kill him, and Kagome- Well, Kagome would probably poke him with sticks after he was dead just to be doubly sure he was sorry. He sped up.
Kagome held on tight to Kirara. Focusing on the task ahead was the only way to forget how nice it was to be in Inuyasha's arms, or the smile he had shown her when she decided not to go with Kouga, or- She was going to have to stop thinking about it. Get Kirara to Kaede. That was the most important thing right now.
vvvvvvvvvv
"I think Shippo's having a little too much fun." Miroku whispered to Sango.
The little fox had climbed up onto Kouga's head and was telling him all about his latest heroic adventures. Of course, most of them were fictitious, but Kouga didn't know that. Instead he listened intently to the red-haired boy's stories of how he and Kagome had stopped Naraku with interest. Sango's frown lifted a little.
"Do you think we should do something?"
"Like what? Join in perhaps?" Miroku teased.
"Houshi-sama?"
"And then we-"
"Shippo, hold on a moment." Miroku guided his horse closer to Kouga. Shippo ducked a little, expecting he was going to lose his credibility. "You were telling him about the time you defeated that snake demon single-handedly, right?" he winked.
"Uh- yeah, that's the one!" Shippo puffed out his chest.
"Well, you're leaving out the part where you swung him around by his tail and hit those bandits-"
"Really?" Kouga seemed like he didn't believe them.
"Really. It was part of a great plan of mine-"
Sango face-faulted.
vvvvvvvvvv
The sun had long since fallen behind the horizon by the time Inuyasha caught sight of Kaede's village. "Kagome, we're almost there. Look." She complied and then nodded in agreement.
"Let's hurry."
Inuyasha proceeded as fast as his legs would carry him towards the village. With a soundless jump, they were at Kaede's hut in seconds. Immediately, Kagome leapt from his arms and raced to the door.
"Kaede!" she shouted.
Shuffling from inside was her response.
"Kaede! It's Kagome, we need your help!"
Kaede appeared at the door. "Ay child, bring her inside. She looks bad." Kagome rushed inside and grabbed a blanket. She carefully laid Kirara down.
"What has happened? Be there any other injuries?"
"No, it's just Kirara, but she's been exposed to Naraku's poison." Kagome was losing her calm.
"Relax child, just bring me that bottle from the shelf." She pointed.
"Alright."
Inuyasha watched the two run around the hut from the doorway. He decided that it was better for him to just stay out of the way. After watching for a few moments, Inuyasha relocated to a nearby tree. He still had a clear view of the two through the hut's lone window. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself a moment to relax. Kagome was safe, Kirara would be all right, and everyone else would arrive tomorrow afternoon. Then he remembered. He was taking Kagome home tonight, to say until her shoulder healed. His ears drooped.
vvvvvvvvvv
It was nearly midnight before Kagome walked out of the hut into the cool night air. She looked around. "Inuyash-" He dropped down in front of her. "-a." she finished.
"Yes?"
"Don't do that. You scared me." She relaxed.
"Keh. How's Kirara?"
"It looks like she's going to be fine. Kaede says we got her here just in time." Kagome wiped her brow. "She's sleeping now."
"It's late."
"Yeah."
"I should take you to the well." He mumbled.
"I guess so." She looked down.
He wasn't sure if it was her sad face or a sudden whimsy that caused him to scoop her up in his arms, but there was no way he could explain himself, so he went with it. Holding tight to her knees and back, Inuyasha started towards the well. Kagome didn't say a word, she just turned towards his chest to hide her reddening face.
Even though he was taking her home, away from him, Kagome couldn't help but feel happy. After all, she'd spent the whole day in his arms. And, he hadn't asked her to go home forever, only until she was healed, right? He'd been really nice lately. Silently, Kagome wondered if it was getting close to the new moon.
When they reached the well, Inuyasha hesitated a moment before setting Kagome on the well's edge. She looked up at him with an emotion that he couldn't quite read before swinging her feet over the side. Kagome put on a cheery face. "When will the others reach the village?"
That snapped him back to reality. "Tomorrow afternoon."
"Ah. Well, tell them that I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"
"Not until your shoulder heals."
"I know, I know." She waved her hand.
He grabbed her hand. "Please, Kagome. I want to be able to protect you; even I can't do that if you're hurt."
"Inuyasha-" she stared at the hand he held. Her heart raced in her chest. She started to stare at those brilliant eyes again. It was as though she was drowning in those beautiful eyes. Suddenly afraid, she yanked her hand back. "Don't worry, I'll stay home until I'm better. See you then." Kagome dropped into the well.
"Hey!" he watched as the light of the time slip illuminated the well briefly. "What was that about?" Inuyasha started back into the forest. He had to remember not to let himself get mushy like that again, he almost- He didn't want to think about it. It must have been the moon.
vvvvvvvvvv
Kagome climbed out of the old well house. "Why did I run? It looked like he-" She shook her head. "Must have been my imagination." Here she was, home again. She let herself in the back door and quietly made her way upstairs. Twisting the doorknob, she walked into her room. The room looked the same as the last time she'd left. There was even a slight layer of dust on her dresser. "Great, looks like I'll have to clean up tomorrow." With a sigh, she opened the closet and pulled out a set of pajamas. Kagome wondered if Inuyasha had followed her. After all, she had sort of run away from him. She supposed he'd be mad enough to either follow or stay away for a while. Sliding the nightshirt over her head, she didn't care anymore. Kagome yawned. Pulling back the covers, she crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep.
It was the smell of eggs cooking on the stove that woke Kagome from her deep slumber. Eyes half open, she reached for her alarm clock. She pulled the device towards her face and tried to read the numbers. Seven thirty-six. "AH!" she screamed, "I'm LATE!" Crashing onto the floor, the hurricane known as Kagome Higurashi fumbled for her uniform, brushed her hair, and donned her shoes.
Downstairs, Mrs. Higurashi had flipped an egg onto the ceiling and was contemplating how to get it down. "Souta, sweetheart, do you think you can get this for me?" she raised a spatula towards the ceiling.
"Kagome's home eh?" the old man looked up from his tea.
"It's always like this when she's around." Said Souta.
"Better get a chair."
"She's going to be late. Maybe I could come up with another brilliant excuse? Smallpox or maybe leprosy this time?"
"Grandpa!" Kagome yelled as she entered the room.
"Oh hi hunny."
"Hi mom. I hate to skip breakfast, but I'm really late!" Dashing out the door, the black haired youth disappeared as quickly as she'd entered.
"She's still going to be late." Souta laughed as the egg fell from the ceiling and landed on his grandfather's head.
"What's so funny?" He asked from beneath the dripping egg yolk.
"That was Kagome's egg."
Mrs. Higurashi stifled a giggle.
vvvvvvvvvv
A/N: Okay how was that? Still trying to do what I think would honestly happen in the story. I know it's not as exciting as the last chapter, but I promise, it gets good! OMG, Inuyasha was only sat twice this chapter! We'll have to fix that… eyes Inuyasha evilly Next chapter look forward to plot information! And is that a new moon on the rise?