Never
Part 1
By Faery Pink Sparkle
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha
Author's Note: Well this is the latest version… nothing has changed... maybe just a few grammatical errors… Anyway, this story will continue…
The sky darkened overhead and a cold wind bit at their heels. The group scanned the area around them for signs of immediate danger.
"There!" the demon slayer cried to the others. Sango pointed to the depths of the forest and that was when they saw it. From a distance it appeared to be a thick mist, but with closer inspection, it was clear that what they saw was actually the soul stealing demons summoned by the dead priestess, Kikyo.
"Ha! I told you that darkness was near!" the monk exclaimed after being ridiculed and called a liar by the half-breed. But Miroku's words fell on deaf ears. InuYasha had no interest in Miroku's smugness. All InuYasha was interested in was where the soul stealers were heading.
"Kikyo..." his voice trailed off and was carried into the night by the chilling wind. Without another word or thought, InuYasha ran for all he was worth, leaving the others behind. He ran towards Kikyo.
"We have to go after him!" a young girl with dark locks cried as she stared after the silver haired half-breed.
A little fox stared at her in surprise with his big green eyes, "Are you sure, Kagome?"
Kagome glanced at her friends. Miroku raised an eyebrow in question and Sango just looked confused. Kagome could have laughed at them. She looked back at her little companion, "Of course I'm sure, Shippo. Now let's go!" Kagome urged and ran after InuYasha. What am I getting myself into! the thought exploded in Kagome's mind as she ran. Remember what happened last time you saw InuYasha with Kikyo? Kagome cringed at the horrible thought. Images from that encounter ran through her mind play by play like a movie. It was still burned in her memory no matter how much she wanted to forget...
No matter what she said, Kikyo wouldn't listen. Kagome couldn't do anything either as she had been bound to a tree by Kikyo's magic. Surrounded by Kikyo's demons, Kagome was paralyzed. Kagome had just been telling Kikyo of Naraku's plot against both her and InuYasha. She had told Kikyo that InuYasha had never stopped thinking about her and Kikyo had in turn told Kagome of her plan to keep InuYasha's heart. But before the two could swap any more words, InuYasha walked into the scene. The two women looked in his direction. And there he stood, out of breath and looking stunned.
"InuYasha! You've got to talk to Kikyo. Please tell her what happened! How Naraku deceived you!" the young reincarnation cried out to the half-demon garbed in red. But he ignored her and walked towards Kikyo. "InuYasha?"
InuYasha looked astonished. "Kikyo..." he breathed out. Hearing her name, Kikyo drew back a little.
He didn't hear me! He can't even see me! Kagome thought to herself as she watched them.
"So you were the one doing it, gathering the souls of the dead women," InuYasha said as the scattered souls glowed around the pale Kikyo.
"My body is molded from the earth and bones of my grave site. It must be sustained by human souls if I am to remain here. InuYasha, you must despise me. I have drawn in the souls of the dead to maintain my presence and it is my hatred of you that fuels my actions," Kikyo informed him coldly.
The half-breed was shocked, "That's just ludicrous! You may very well despise me, but the feeling's not mutual!" InuYasha exclaimed. His face softened, "Kikyo... I never stopped thinking about you! Not even for an instant!" Kikyo looked at him with a pained expression.
Kagome could only look on helplessly. I thought so. InuYasha has never forgotten Kikyo. Sure, why would he have? Still... it's hard to hear it said out loud. InuYasha's been taken away from me! What am I saying! It's not like he was ever my boyfriend or anything.
Kikyo turned away as InuYasha spoke. He continued, "I could never hate you or think less of you. It's your spirit I care for, not your appearance!"
"Truly, InuYasha?" Kikyo asked softly, "You wouldn't?" Turning to face him, Kikyo reached out a frail hand and gently touched his face, "You wouldn't despise me, even if I used these hands to steal the life from you?"
InuYasha was speechless. Then without warning, Kikyo held InuYasha in a kiss. InuYasha stared at her in shock.
Kagome's eyes widened, She's kissing him!
Kikyo pulled away and quickly wrapped her arms around InuYasha's waist as she buried her dark head against his shoulder. "InuYasha, after meeting you I renounced my position as a shrine priestess and became an ordinary woman," Kikyo tightened her embrace, "I longed to embrace you like this when I was alive..." Slowly and gently, InuYasha returned the embrace.
InuYasha... you're going to take her back. Sure you are. It's only to be expected Kagome thought sombrely. What am I doing here watching them like this? I'm such a fool. Oh great! Now I'm probably going to start crying! Kagome thought as hot tears began to sting her eyes, I can't believe what an idiot I am!
InuYasha held Kikyo in his arms. Kikyo's scent is so familiar. Her fragrance is just as it used to be. The only difference is that she has no warmth. Her body is cold from death... and she's sad and lonely.
Kikyo interrupted his thoughts, " We are unable to turn back the hand of time, so please, allow me to embrace you a little longer..."
I can't save you. I can't do anything to help you... except stay like this. If only time could stand still...
"Would you agree to that? If I did stop time?" Kikyo asked from within his arms.
"Yes..." InuYasha agreed, "I don't care. As long as... as long as I'm with you..." he trailed off into unconsciousness.
Kagome grumbled in frustration, I can't watch! I'd be happy to leave you two alone if you just release me!" Kagome glanced away, "I'll just go crawl under a rock or something like-"She turned back at them, "Hey! Are you listening-" Kagome let out an alarmed gasp. The earth beneath the two opened up and the souls were sucked inside. The ground that Kikyo and InuYasha were standing on began to fall away into the pits of hell.
"InuYasha, I will never let you go. Come with me into the depths of hell," Kikyo said as she grasped onto the silver-hared demon.
Kagome watched helplessly from her bound position at the tree, "He's being dragged down with her! InuYasha! Snap to it! You've got to get out of there! It's no use, he's unconscious..." Kagome tried again, " Listen Kikyo, 'cause I know that you can hear me!" she cried out, "That's not fair! InuYasha said he wanted to be with you! I didn't hear him say anything about wanting to die with you! InuYasha's going after Naraku for deceiving you both fifty years ago! He still has things to do!"
Kikyo's eyes snapped open as she listened.
"InuYasha wants to live to fight Naraku more than anything! And he's determined to stay alive till he faces him and avenges your death!" Kagome screamed in desperation.
Kikyo turned to look at her reincarnation.
Kagome lowered her voice, "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Kikyo replied by pointing a finger at the tree, which exploded behind Kagome. The young girl screamed. Kagome fell to the ground, free of the magic that bound her.
"Oh Kikyo..."
"And what if he does exact revenge? Will that serve to revive me?" Kikyo turned back to InuYasha, "Come InuYasha. Come rather than staying here and living with my memory. You and I share the same desires."
"You're downright evil! The poor guy's unconscious remember! Otherwise he'd never follow you! Do us all a favour and let go of InuYasha! I'm telling you! Hands off of him!" Those four final words were like a command. Kikyo's soul was being called back to Kagome. Kikyo looked horrified as she felt the change within herself. She screamed. This girl is taking my spirit once again. I must hurry before this body is completely emptied. Kikyo reached out for InuYasha once more. "InuYasha, come!" she began to pull him down.
"Wake up!" Kagome called out, "Don't let her take you, InuYasha! InuYasha! InuYasha!"
Slowly, InuYasha's golden eyes opened. "That's Kagome's voice... Kagome? Is she here?" Looking up, InuYasha saw Kagome on the ground surrounded by the white demons. " Kagome!" InuYasha immediately left Kikyo, "Kagome!" Kikyo watched him with saddened eyes. InuYasha killed the demons and went to Kagome's side, " Kagome, what in the world do you think you're doing here?"
Me! I'm the one who should be asking that question!"
"Well... uh... it's hard to explain..."
The demons and souls rushed to Kikyo, bringing both InuYasha and Kagome's attention back to her. Kikyo sat on the ground and eyed them.
"What's happening to her?" InuYasha asked in worry.
Kikyo stood up, "Does that girl mean more to you than I do?" InuYasha was at a loss for words. Blushing, Kagome and InuYasha glanced at each other. But he didn't answer. Then Kikyo was being taken away by the demons.
"No! Wait, Kikyo! Listen to me!" InuYasha cried out after the departing shrine maiden.
"InuYasha, never forget. Remember the feel of my lips against yours... for it was real..."
Kagome and InuYasha stared after Kikyo. Then Kagome looked at the ground with downcast eyes.
"Never forget..." Kikyo's words lingered even after she had disappeared.
Kagome felt her heart constrict in pain. Why was she running after InuYasha when he was running after Kikyo? It made no sense to her, but at the same time it did. They had been through so much together and she wasn't about to turn her back on him now. She was running after him because she loved him. She was running after him because she knew that if she didn't, no one would be there to save him from Kikyo's evil grasp. She was running after him because she would do the same for any of her friends. She was running after him because she knew that he would do the same for her. She was running after him because she would never give up on him. Never.
Kagome had run ahead of her companions who were doing their best to catch up.
"So tell me what's happening. I saw a look pass between you, Kagome and Shippo. What did that mean?" Sango had managed to gasp out while running. Miroku stopped in his tracks, Sango and Shippo stopping beside him. They all took a moment to catch their breath.
"It's a long story..." Miroku began, "But long story short, InuYasha and Kikyo were lovers fifty years ago. He's still in love with Kikyo and Kikyo still wants him. But InuYasha also has feelings for our dear Kagome who also has feelings for him." Miroku finished in one quick breath as he looked towards the direction Kagome had ran. They really needed to catch up to her.
Sango looked at the amorous monk skeptically, "And they told you all of this, did they?"
There was a long pause. "Not exactly..." Miroku trailed off uncertainly. "The last time InuYasha ran after Kikyo, Kagome saw something that she wasn't meant to. She only ended up getting upset. But that's a different story."
"One that you must tell me later on," Sango stated.
"InuYasha's stupid," little Shippo piped up and the other two turned to him in surprise. "He's stupid to run after some dead person when we all know that Kagome is much more important. You agree don't you, Sango? It is stupid to run after a dead woman when there's a perfectly live one waiting for him." Shippo reasoned in total innocence.
The demon slayer smiled warmly at the little one, "You're just too adorable."
Miroku cleared his throat, "Well as much as I would just love to stay here and talk about Shippo being... adorable... I really think it best if we catch up with the other two before they get into any more trouble."
Sango nodded agreement, "Right." She began to lead the way.
Shippo jumped onto Miroku's shoulder. "Jealous," the fox whispered as the monk ran behind Sango. He was definitely enjoying the view.
"Jealous of a little thing like you?" Miroku scoffed. "You're not even a man yet." The monk's remark put Shippo in his place. Not another word was said as they trio continued to run in search of Kagome and InuYasha.
"Guys! I think we're getting close! I can feel her presence! And I definitely saw those demons head this way!" Kagome yelled over her shoulder. There was no reply. She stopped where she was and turned around. There was no one there. She gulped. "Definitely deja vu," she whispered to herself. All she saw was trees, trees and more trees. "I guess all I can do now is follow my instincts," the young girl told herself and continued to run towards her destination. But before she could run any further, the trees disappeared as it opened into a large clearing. Kagome slowed to a walk. She glanced at her surroundings. Before her was a flowing stream that glistened in the moonlight. She could have been looking at a mirror because in front of her was the shrine maiden, Kikyo. Kikyo and her soul sucking demons. The demons released the lost souls to Kikyo and she devoured them eagerly. Kagome began to make her way to the other woman, but before she could go any further, she felt a sudden pain as an unseen force deflected her, blocking her from entry.
Kikyo laughed hollowly. "I see you've found me once again. But unfortunately, for you, my shield will block you from coming any closer. You will not interfere. Not again. This shield will block you completely."
Kagome rose to her feet and she straightened herself. Looking up, Kagome saw the force field Kikyo had spoken of and she didn't dare touch it. She was also faced with Kikyo's wicked smile. She felt panic rise within her. "Kikyo! What are you planning? You have to leave InuYasha alone! Kikyo!"
The older woman laughed once more, "Save your breath. Do you really think that I would listen to you?"
"I'm being serious Kikyo! If you do anything to hurt him, I'll bring you back to life just so I can kill you again!" Kagome threatened. Her eyes widened at her own words.
"He's coming," Kikyo stated softly. Ignoring her reincarnation's futile threats, she turned her back to her.
"Kikyo!" Kagome screamed once more. Opening her mouth to scream again, Kagome was suddenly cut off. InuYasha came bursting into the clearing.
Shippo had stopped running, "I really think we're lost."
"Nonsense," Miroku replied dismissively. "I distinctly remember Kagome running off in this direction."
Shippo exhaled, "But we've been running for ages! She couldn't have gotten that far."
"I think Shippo's right. We never should have stopped," Sango added with a frown. She glanced into the darkness that surrounded them," I sure hope the others are ok."
"Yeah," Shippo replied in agreement. "I hope Kagome's ok." The little fox let himself fall to the ground as his feet buckled underneath him.
"What are you doing? Get up! We have to find the others" Miroku exclaimed incredulously and got his staff ready to give Shippo a whack to the head. But before his staff could make a hit, a slender hand reached out to block the attack.
"Wait," Sango told the monk who obeyed instantly. She crouched down so that she was level with the little fox.
"Thanks, Sango," Shippo said gratefully as he removed his hands from their defensive position on top of his head.
Sango grinned at her friend, "I have an idea. Do you think you'd be able to sniff out Kagome's scent?"
Both Miroku and Shippo looked bewildered at the notion. Shippo had never considered this and why would he? Smelling Kagome was InuYasha's job.
Sango frowned in consternation, "Surely you know what Kagome smells like. After all the time you spend with her, you must have at least some vague-"
"Of course I know what she smells like. I do have a nose don't I?" Shippo cut her off abruptly.
"Well that's good," Sango answered and stood up, "Lead the way then." she concluded and looked at Shippo expectantly.
Shippo laughed uncertainly, "Actually... I've never done this thing before..."
"C'mon then, Shippo," Miroku said with mock encouragement, "Let your nose lead you." Shippo could see the laughter in the monk's brown eyes.
Shippo glared at Miroku, suddenly determined to put him in his place. Lifting his nose up, Shippo sniffed the air. He turned this way and that until he caught her scent in the breeze. Exactly as Miroku had said, Shippo let his nose lead him. All Sango and Miroku could do was follow.
"InuYasha!" Kagome screamed to him as he approached them. InuYasha didn't even turn to look at her. His eyes were focused on Kikyo. "InuYasha!" Kagome tried again in vain. It seemed that the barrier holding her back also blocked her from InuYasha's eyes and ears. How could she help him now? She felt helplessness overwhelm her and tears stung her eyes, but she restrained herself from shedding any tears.
InuYasha slowly made his way towards his former lover, "Kikyo..."
Kikyo gave him a cold smile, "This is our third confrontation, is it not?"
InuYasha ignored the white demons that floated around her as he was overcome by his strong feelings for her. Kikyo closed the gap between them as she pressed herself against him; her frail body against his strong frame. His arms were instantly around her in a tight, protective embrace. How she had longed for this when she had lived. She had yearned to feel InuYasha's warm body against hers. And because of this, she allowed the moment to last a little longer. Then she pulled away. InuYasha saddened at this action. He was about to speak, but Kikyo laid a slim finger on his lips to silence him.
"Do you remember, InuYasha? Do you remember the feel of my lips against yours?"
"Of... Of course, Kikyo," InuYasha replied hesitantly," How could I forget?"
Kikyo held him at an arm's length, "InuYasha..."
"Yes?"
"You never answered my question."
"What question?"
"Does that girl mean more to you than I do?"
InuYasha's mind went blank, "What... What girl?"
Kikyo smiled, satisfied with his answer. "Good."
Before InuYasha could say anything else, Kikyo pressed her cold lips against his. InuYasha didn't resist. Instead, he deepened the kiss with his unfulfilled longing for her that had grown over the past fifty years. With his eyes closed, he let his hand wander across Kikyo's body as he explored unfamiliar territory. His hand gently moved through her curves as he caressed her. Needing air, they both released each other. InuYasha held her in his arms for what seemed like an eternity.
"I love you, Kikyo," he whispered softly, "I always have and I always will. I wish we could stay like this forever..."
"As do I..." Kikyo found herself saying.
In that moment, it seemed like they were the only two in the world. But they weren't. InuYasha opened his eyes and looking up, he was face to face with Kagome. But he couldn't see her; he just stared straight through her.
Kagome held back her tears. She had tolerated their first embrace, was angered when InuYasha had said 'What girl?', was hurt when his lips had touched hers, felt betrayed when he had deepened their kiss and finally she was heartbroken. Looking at them only served to deepen the wound in her heart. Unable to see them together any longer, Kagome ran.
Shippo stopped once more, "I've lost her scent!" He spun in circles as he sniffed the air around them. "I've lost her scent!"
Miroku exhaled sharply, "I hate to break it to you, Shippo, but you cannot lose something you never had."
Shippo stared at Miroku icily. "Well I'd like to see you do better. Why don't you use your wind tunnel? Maybe you can suck her in!" Shippo snapped in irritation. Both Sango and Miroku were startled by Shippo's abrupt outburst.
Knowing that this little fight had the potential to escalate to something bigger, Sango decided to intervene, "I think we should sit down, rest and wait. It's the only thing we can do now. As much as it pains me to say it, I believe we are once again lost."
"But what about-"
"Don't worry, Shippo. Kagome is strong and will be able to protect herself. Plus InuYasha is probably with her as we speak. They will find us," Sango reassured in her kind voice. Sitting down, she motioned for the others to follow suit and they did. Now, they waited.
She ran as far away as she could. As far as her legs could carry her. Because she knew that to stop would mean to face the harsh reality that she had lost InuYasha. She had lost him to her. Kagome didn't know how long she ran, but she stopped once her legs were unable to carry her any further. Her legs buckling beneath her weight, Kagome's worn out body fell against a tree. As soon as her body hit the ground, that was when it happened. She couldn't hold back her tears. So she sat there and she cried. She wished that everything she had seen was a bad dream that she would suddenly wake up from. She wished that she didn't follow InuYasha when he ran off. She wished she had stayed with the others so she wasn't alone. She wished all the pain she felt at that very moment would wash away. But above all, she wished for InuYasha's happiness. Because no matter how much she had been hurt, no matter how much it pained her to know he didn't love her, she could never hate him or wish any harm on him. Because deep inside she knew that she would never give up on him. Never.
Author's note: Well… that was Part 1. Yes, I have decided to continue the story. Read Part 2 and let me know what you think ok? Thanks!