Okay, so this is the looooooongest chapter I have ever written… ever. Not really a good break up point. Oh well, I hope you enjoy the fluff. Not so sure if the next chapter will have that much fluff (mostly because of writer's block) but it'll come again, so no worries. I don't know how much time I'll be having to write, so it might possibly take a little longer to update then usual, but the way I see it, you want it to be good just as much as I do. Well, we'll see what happens. Enjoy my 9 page chapter. Go me!

Chapter 17: Mending Hearts

FLASHBACK

It was high above the mountains were the castle resided. A figure in the shadow lifted a goblet to his lips and drank of its liquor. The taste felt sweet on his tongue and his throat as he swallowed. When he gulped, he smacked his lips and sighed happily. Glancing out the window, he relished in the feeling of life, of the cold earth that welcomed him. It had taken about a week for a being even of his kind to make it back to his chosen home. But the trip was definitely worth it. His mission may have made him impatient for blood, but he dared not risk losing it. So long as he was given the power to wreak havoc on this world, he would cooperate by any means necessary, just to stay alive. In the cold mists of his thoughts lay desires still unready to be unleashed. He sat the goblet on a small table next to another one, which was immediately taken into another's hand. "Is it done?"

"Yes," he replied almost in a hiss.

"Perfect," he placed the glass back down.

"Naraku, will you then allow me to do what I will with the miko?"

He smiled in his sinister way and leaned back slightly. His black hair fell back to reveal his pale white face and piercing red eyes. Everything about him was emphasized. The deathly hue in his skin shown brightly under his midnight hair, and the eyes that were the portal to his hatred glowed in the light of the moon. "You may be flesh and bone now, but you are still an idiot behind that thick skull."

"Puh. We'll see what you say once I fulfill this task of yours, if only you'd let me start already."

"Patience becomes you if you let it in," Naraku smiled, "If you do, I will make this easy for you. I'll bring her to you."

Naraku lit a lantern and set it on the table in front of him. "Look at yourself, Kokuei."

As he was told, he raised his clawed hand into the air and in front of his face so he could see clearly. His nails were long and sharp. He curled them slightly and looked proud, "What a magnificent body, even if it is that of a hanyou."

Naraku eyed his creation, looked through the claws to the dark amber in his gaze. Under the blanket of night, specks of gold flashed and revealed his evil interior. Only the most trained of eyes could see the difference between this copy and the original. A gush of wind blew the long silver hair back to reveal the fangs in his mouth, and Kokuei smirked. Had he not known better, Naraku might have thought him to be the real Inuyasha. Not a difference could be seen, except the clothes. His clothes were similar to Naraku's, compensation from a group of townspeople begging for the lives of their citizens. Naturally, they were all rotting in graves now. His kimino was navy blue, with some red made in the shape of claw marks running from his left shoulder to his stomach. So red, it appeared as blood. It was the place where his heart should have been, torn apart for good measure.

Naraku motioned to Kokuei's new body, that of Inuyasha, "You have been given a great gift. One that will give both you and me what we want. I know you have innate cravings, and your work will not go unpunished. I have not forgotten my own plans. However…"

He glared through the bangs of his hair at his creation, "I can afford no mistakes. Whether you admit it or not, it is in that small brain of yours where your connection to Inuyasha truly lies. It is a gift and a curse. You are prone to his weaknesses too."

"Keh, and yet I possess other powers that hanyou could never even hope for. With that, he'll never be able to defeat me."

"And that is how you will lose. Do not go into battle too fast. Our task is the miko, and to get to her, we must get through him. If my plans are carried out in order, if we can separate them, then both Inuyasha and that miko will be destroyed."

"I do desire her blood, more and more everyday," Kokuei licked his lips.

"Then use your connection to Inuyasha. Find out what his weaknesses are, and take them not for granted in battle."

"Why the hanyou? He is not our main concern, after all. It's that miko we're after," he questioned.

Naraku stood and peered outward upon the valley, his valley in his mind. A growing threat prodded his mind, making him for the first time fearful that he could lose everything. "She is. Let's just say that I'm attacking this issue from both ends, shall we? The prophecy must not be fulfilled. At all cost, we must stop it."

Kokuei was about to protest, but decided against it. He cared not for his master's troubles, after all. He would serve him in his battle against the hanyou and miko, and it would satisfy his own needs as well. Naraku continued, "For now, we wait. We prepare. This requires study on your part. Watch them, watch him in particular…"

He turned and looked to Kokuei threateningly, "Do not get caught."

Kokuei stood and bowed before Naraku, then turned to make his leave.

END FLASHBACK

As he walked down the long hallway, he eyed his claws, "I'll humor you, master. In the end, as long as I get what I want…"

Five weeks had passed since he had last seen the hanyou and miko. It was well into summer now, a despicable season in his mind. It was hard for Kokuei to admit that he was growing restless. The personality in him was strong, and every day was a battle to conquer himself. This Inuyasha was a stubborn one indeed, so hard to control even in his darker side. However Kokuei couldn't be totally ungrateful. After all, it was with the help of that hanyou and Naraku that he was brought to life. The pitiful hanyou didn't even know what he was doing, didn't know who had been egging him on to keep Kagome in this era. In the corner of Inuyasha's mind, where his deepest and darkest youkai resided, the spirit that was dubbed Kokuei awoke, but was still imprisoned from the dimension of the truly living. As Naraku had sparked him into life, he had no body to call his own. He was but a spirit. Now that he was of flesh and bone, he had gained his freedom.

Thanks to Inuyasha, and the selfish desire that had called for his birth, Kokuei was given a body to use, to carry out Naraku's will as well as his own. It was so deliciously perfect, the sound of it tasted sweet on his lips as he muttered it to himself. He wanted the task carried out now, so that he could tame the cry within him to search for blood. With great reluctance, he held himself back. As Naraku had said, it wasn't yet time. He still had much to learn about Inuyasha before he could play a part in his demise.

When the spiral staircase ended, he came to the entrance of a castle. Fancying a quick run, he flew off into the daylight. His feet made small pats on the ground before he took to leaps as huge as a bird's flight. The wind raced through his hair, giving him a sense of absolute freedom. Once he was done with the hanyou and miko, he could do whatever he wanted. The desire to kill would never die down, and he was more than willing to satisfy that craving. As long as he got what he wanted, nothing else mattered.

He came to a halt as he passed the castle of the Western Lands. Using his sharp vision, he could see the castle's keeper who he believed to be called Sesshoumaru answer the door to some old hag with a sack over her shoulder. If Kokuei recalled correctly, this youkai was Inuyasha's brother, known for being a tough fighter and an even tougher gaze. Yet he watched in shock as the lord of the castle allowed an old brittle woman to pass into his castle, unharmed, rather than killing her on the spot. Kokuei scoffed, "How pathetic. The Inu no Taisho are a sad breed of inu-youkai indeed. They'd do well to correct their mistakes before they lose everything."

He lifted his claws again to his face, admiring the definition in them. As long as he got what he wanted, for now, he could care less what that pathetic Sesshoumaru did with pathetic humans.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Would you just-."

"No."

"It's a simple question."

"No."

"Inuyasha, if there's something you need to talk about."

"No!"

"I was only trying to-."

"Get lost, monk," he barked.

Miroku sighed and crossed his arms over his staff that lay across his lap. "Perhaps I should ask Kagome what's wrong with you if you won't talk."

"I'll rip your tongue out first."

Sango intercepted, "Really, though, I can't believe how quiet you both have been in the past two weeks. It's just scary. Did you have another fight or something?"

The hanyou sighed, "No."

"Then get over whatever this crap is and talk to her already."

"Did I need to talk to her about something?" He scratched his head.

Hiraikotsu rammed Inuyasha right on the forehead and he looked at the exterminator in annoyance. Shippou looked up and swallowed a mouthful of pocky, his last box. "Where is Kagome, anyway?"

Inuyasha grunted, "Still sleeping. Lazy wench."

"It's already nearing sunset, Inuyasha. Let her sleep. She's worked so hard today, I'll bet she's exhausted. And you know, Inuyasha. You should really be nice to Kagome, since she's stuck here forever and all," Miroku remarked.

Inuyasha's face fell and they all saw it. Sango crossed her arms, "What? You don't want her to be here?"

"It's not that. It's…" He sighed in frustration and jumped up, walking off into the forest to clear his head.

What did it matter that he had barely talked to her in a week? It was a sacrifice he felt necessary, after all. The hanyou already blushed enough red for a lifetime when he thought of the accidental kiss two weeks earlier. No, the memory still hadn't left him. He had hoped he would forget about it, but every time he looked at her he felt the same hypnotic spell coming over him. The same cosmic rhythm that thumped beneath him. There was no doubt in his mind that given the chance to be alone with her again, he could ruin their friendship entirely. Nothing was worth that… nothing. 'Keh… impossible wench.'

His callused soles complained against the sharp rocks of the path he had chosen. Grimacing through the pain of thorns, he sought his tranquility, which still lay somewhere unseen. There was no place to go where he could escape his memories.

He abruptly came to stop when he realized the path he was now taking. Somewhere between his intent and his lost thoughts, Inuyasha had rounded back towards even ground. Already his brow twisted into annoyance and his claws curled up into his palms. The responsibility he now bore on his shoulders weighed down upon him in cruel punishment. Raking against his skin, it hissed at him, crushed him lower to the earth. Beneath his hunched shoulders, the blood in his heart boiled dangerously. He knew his heart was tired from being so overworked during the past few weeks. Its retribution would never come either, for to stop the fight would mean to fall and never rise again. Inuyasha's eyes began to itch, as if the memory of this instinct was an allergy.

Turning on his heal, he slowly made his way back to the others, and away from the well. 'I hope Kagome's awake now. We have a lot of distance to cover. The further I can get away from that place, the better.'

The promise of a return also brought back happier thoughts. To deny to the others that he was ignoring Kagome was somewhat misjudged on their part, for he knew his thoughts barely left the miko, no matter how much he wished it otherwise. Just because he couldn't talk to her, didn't mean he couldn't hear her, smell her, watch her. Every day he sat in the tree overlooking the group's activities. What the others were up to, he barely took notice. He didn't care to notice, either. As far as he could see, there was only Kagome. She had cooked for them, played with Shippou, slept beneath the shade of his tree, prepared medicines and tended the wounds of others when youkai attacked. Naturally, Inuyasha refused any help from Kagome, though he often found himself growling when she was seen doting on Miroku's wounds. How he wanted her to dote on him, but he knew that was never a good idea, not to mention lame. Sure, she had requested, gone out searching for him, even sat him to get him to stay, but his reply was always either a hasty retreat, or a shirt removal to prove that he was unharmed. Still, he couldn't help but feel proud at how skilled she had become, especially with medicine. The more he watched her, the more the fog lifted from his sight to reveal bright mornings to come.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Kagome's hair stuck to the bark of the tree as her head scooted up against it. Huffing out a breath of air, she started rummaging through her bag. With one hand, she smoothed her wild hair while the other finally managed to pull out a traveler's sewing kit. She shook her head in dismay, tsking herself for falling asleep before all her chores were done.

However, when she finished setting up her needle and thread, she realized that the clothing in question was still missing. She called out for him, "Inuyasha…"

Not a moment after she said it, she heard a thud above her. In a small gasp, she looked upward to see Inuyasha perched on a large branch, his knees up to his cheeks and his hands holding himself up from in between his feet. He pursed his lips to one side as he eyed her suspiciously. Fresh leaves broken by Inuyasha's arrival fluttered downward, a few of them landing on top of the hanyou and tickling his ears in the passing. The look about him made her giggle inside. More like a puppy every day. She waved at him, causing his face to turn red, and he peeled his eyes away from her. "How are you, Inuyasha?"

"Uh… I'm… I'm fine," he remarked very nonchalantly.

Well whatever he was thinking about, he sure was trying hard. If she could only see though that thick skull of his, maybe she would someday solve the mystery that was her Inuyasha. She signaled to him, "Could I borrow your haori for a moment?"

His eyebrows crooked to one side, but he complied. Taking off the red exterior, he threw it to her in a bundle. She nodded a quick thank you, before putting her attention on the torn edge of the sleeve, carefully stitching it up with red thread.

The hanyou stuck his head out farther, trying to see over her head at what she was doing. It was a tear that had been there for quite a while now, and he hadn't taken any notice of it before. His thoughts immediately brought up his mother, who used to sew up his clothes after his little escapades through the forest. He remembered how she used to laugh at how tattered his clothes would become in one day, rather than yelling at him like most moms did. At the time, Inuyasha had taken no notice of that act of affection. Now, as he watched Kagome doing the same thing, he felt his breath take leaps the size of mountains. He could fancy himself a king, the way he felt so cared for. Already, his ego was getting the best of him. His muscles relaxed as he perched himself against the trunk of the tree, his eyes never leaving the girl below him. A smile formed on his face as he lost his reality, became emerged in the newly painted pride provided only by the miko below.

Purged of any knowledge, the only word he understood now was Kagome. She always found a way to make him lose his inhibitions. Always found a way to make him rush back to her side. Why he was so willing to let himself think about her was beyond him. He knew better than to let any smile cross his features, yet it didn't stop it from coming. Now, drunk in her scent and his pride, there could be no doubt that he was happy. Though the smile didn't fade, he told himself, 'Baka. You're acting like such a wimp. What are you looking for, anyway?'

Hidden beneath her hair and delicate skin was something he still sought out, no matter how many times he told himself that there was nothing there. A mystery demanding to be discovered and solved, by him and him alone. Problem was Inuyasha hadn't a clue what he was looking for. Back he fell deeper into his fantasies, more and more relishing in the song meant only for him to hear, only for him to memorize. Her majesty carried him through the winds, on her breath, a nameless whisper beckoning him to go to her once more.

Kagome could feel his gaze on her, seeping into her flesh like sunlight. Would she dare to look? No, he would just look away again. It felt instinctive that she should turn to him, for she always had. He might have been stubborn and rude, but he was all she had left to protect her from the chaos that was life. Through him, she would still the ripples in the pond. She would silence the screams of the wind and the rain. She would heal.

Her adrenaline picked up, for what is love but to make one feel even more alive. Not more lively, exactly, but more invincible, more powerful. The feel of his clothes in her hands harbored their countless embraces. For as long as she grasped it, repaired the imperfections, it would always carry her secret just in front of him for him to never discover. Her fingertips strummed over the threads, playing the music that electrocuted her day by day. The sweet release of it escalated her senses, and she could even smell Inuyasha on the red cloth, hear the song she had begun to sing to no one but herself.

Her chore paused for a moment as she considered what had for the past two months been inconceivable. Could she be happy? The air of Feudal Japan was sweet and crisp. Dancing through her hair, the wind tempted her to believe that which was impossible. How could it be? Her family, she missed them. There could be no doubt about that. Yet, the smell of Inuyasha's clothes brought back that which she had decided: to call Inuyasha her home. It mattered not what path he chose from here, for she had vowed to follow him, through any peril. It was no easy task, and although bitter-sweet in more ways than not, it were those stolen glances and cherished words that had made the promise for her. No motives to be by his side as any more than a friend. If he needed her at all, even for just a torn haori, she would mend, she would listen, she would watch over him, until she couldn't hear or see anymore. She would mend his wounds, make him, force him to know that he was worth while to her. Enough that she would follow him to the ends of the earth. The question remained: would he want that? Did she even dare to ask? If she had the courage to tell him…

The necessity that came out of her pleasure, it drew him into warmth, until he thought it might burn him alive. When she finally looked up to him, he did not turn away. It was a mistake, he knew, right from the get go. Her eyes mirrored the world that lay at his feet, the future as happy as one could ever hope for. If he stared long enough, would he learn her secrets? Nothing tempted him more than the need to know her thoughts, her needs.

She tossed the haori to him, and he caught it uneasily as he almost lost his balance. He held it up and looked at the finished product. Just as good as new. She smiled and packed up her things, "That should last you for about two days, huh?"

He scoffed, "Keh."

Kagome merely smiled and walked away with her things. "Be sure you come to bed soon. I'm sure we have a long journey in the morning."

The hanyou didn't even hear her. The haori remained in his hands, and he stared at it, waiting for it to reveal its unbelievable bewitchery. The corner of his mouth tugged up, and an aspirated 'keh' escaped him, obviously meant to mean something sterner than the lack of breath implied. He glanced up once to make sure no one was around him, then clutched the haori to his chest. 'It smells like Kagome, now.'

His fingers sank into the wrinkles of his own clothing, as if clutching his own heart. It was already beating too fast for comfort. He shook his head at his own foolishness. 'I'm in way over my head. I've never been like this.'

Or perhaps, that which he had been prior to this was all an illusion. Yes, nothing here really existed anymore. It didn't matter. If he had asked her, would she stay with him, mend his clothes, cook for him, and sit always within his protective watch? In this, Inuyasha's reality, the question that meant life or death continued to hover just above him. She… continued to paint the picture with lively colors, leaving him the adrenaline rush that was only his.

Was there even anything to question? She was here, and never leaving. For many weeks, the prospect of her leaving tore at his heart. Now she had no where to go where she could escape his touch. His gaze met and collided with her own. His fought against hers, seeking out the answers she dared not speak. She yielded to him, and he could see his life in her eyes. The pain and heartache he had endured all absorbed by her and purified, leaving him holy. Could he have seen in those brown orbs a sign of what he wanted for her? Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but why did it feel like he had nothing to fear anymore? Not just demons or Kikyo, but absolutely nothing.

He carried his feet to the ground below, and to the camp they had set up in the middle of the meadow. The others by now were fast asleep, and only Kagome and Inuyasha remained. His feet suddenly stopped as he realized that they were alone. 'Crap.'

Luckily for him, Kagome just finished making ramen for Inuyasha before getting into her sleeping bag for the night. She handed the cup to the hanyou, who immediately began slurping it down. She smiled at his apparent lack of table manners. Even as a slob, he couldn't be cuter. He caught her staring for a moment, and talked through the mouthful of noodles. "Rraani?"

She giggled at his child-like innocence and laid her head down on the pillow. He followed suit, resting his head on his arms behind his head instead of anything soft. The stars shown brightly above, glittering every once in a while. He didn't know why, but he found pleasure in watching them. He smirked slightly, and began berating himself dimly for the soft spot he had developed. Not that she would ever notice, of course. It even sickened him. He held the cup to his lips again, and slurped up more of the noodles.

Never would she know this lighter side of him. After a few minutes of staring at the cosmos, he yawned loudly and turned to rest his head on his elbow. His eyes were already fluttering shut, and he could barely keep them open now. But before he had the chance to fall asleep completely, he let his gaze rest on a sleeping Kagome as he drifted away.

Kagome shifted in her sleep. An odd feeling took over, but one not so strong as to wake her. What she and Inuyasha did not see was her skin suddenly glowing blue, and very slowly, her features began to fade away. She grimaced in her sleep and her breath quickened, her dreams fighting against the bitter reality that she couldn't see in front of her. Slowly… ever so slowly… Kagome's body began to disappear.

It was at this time when Inuyasha's eyes opened again, and he leapt upwards in an instant. Now wide away, his eyes flashed upon… but… there was nothing wrong now. Kagome was just as she had been before. Inuyasha panted, fighting off the rushing blood to his head. He lay back down and concentrated on her now, an odd question growing inside him. Was he really so desperate that he still feared losing her? Was he becoming delirious in his fear? 'It was like… she really was leaving.'

His hand instinctively came out and grabbed a hold of her clothes. No… she was there, right by his side. The look she had about her, it made him believe that there was hope. She was alive, and she was happy. God help him, she had to be.

To be continued…

Haha, as soon as I solve one mystery for you, I bring up another. And I think you'll think you know what's going on, but I hope what you think is not what I'm thinking. Hmmm, that sounded interested, didn't it. Well as long as you don't catch onto the twist. Oops, have I said too much? Teeheehee.

InuyashaGal: Woah, big letters. I know I'm so evil for doing that to them, but it makes the conquest sweeter, wouldn't you agree? I'll make up for it. And I like your enthusiasm. Hurray! (hugs)

Star+Robin: Haha, the kind of mind struggle I go through with every chapter. Argh! But knowing that it wasn't in vain makes all the struggle worth while, so thank you. (hugs)

Helikakileh: Wow, tears! I'm flattered, a lot. Yes, I am evil. So I'm being told by everyone thanks to this chapter. Wait till I redemn myself, will you? (hugs)

Kawaii-CherryWolf: "I feel all… toasty inside." Haha, then my plan is vurking. Muhahaha! No, I ain't that cruel. I'm far too much of a hopeless romantic to let this anguish go unrewarded. (hugs)

Princess of stars: Amazing how I love these guys so much that I want to make them suffer just so I can make them super happy later. And it will happen. (hugs)

Srg1: In a word, yes, she will (1, 2… shrugs)… but her reaction I leave undercover for now. I'm just that cruel. But like you said, it makes the happy moments even more precious. Thanks a bunch. (hugs)

inubaby2: Oh my! Don't cry, sweetie. I'll fix this little thorn in all our sides, I promise. (hugs)

a100rinchhead: The more I read these reviews, the more I'm getting the feeling that I'm becoming evil. Muhahahaha! Inuyasha no baka! He will pay! (hugs)

Lacey Beans: This is slow torture for me, too. I have so much to say but not enough time to type it, and it's great that the chapter was able to upset you, as I think it should have. For the record, I'll be having a little chat with this Inuyasha and kick him into shape. (hugs)

Random Reader: Aw, I love it too! Never enough for me! I'm so hopeless. (hugs)

Imperial Angel: I'm glad Inuyasha being kinda wussy didn't ruin it for you, cause I'm trying to find the balance between his sensitive side and his arrogant, selfish, stupid side. Not an easy task. Hopefully I'm getting there. (hugs)

Caline Daniels: Well I love you and your reviews. I will most definitely make up for it. Just stay tuned. (hugs)

nekoxlove: It's alright. It's hard enough for me to even get up the chapters. Glad you're back. Yeah, I heart Inuyasha and Kagome! Let there be love! (hugs)

kawaiibritt: You think I wouldn't let Kagome have him? No way! Glad you're enjoying the story. (hugs)

NeuroticallyDignified: Hey there! I didn't think my story was that suspenseful, but I'm glad to see that I was wrong. Thanks for your support. (hugs)

mooximxaxwhale: Because then there'd be no story, silly goose. Teehee. (hugs)