Chapter 42:
The Baby…" Well…sadly, we haven't acquired much information on Kagewaki's whereabouts," Miroku said as they sat down on the fountain located in the center of the park. The sky has started to turn from bright blue to yellow-orange, clearly showing that nightfall will be soon. Small stars started shining faintly in the already darkening sky and the temperature dropped slowly each minute.
" We tried calling his house but his servants or whoever they were said that he hasn't come home for almost about three days. They said they were starting to get worried and his father is getting furious." Sango added in with a lollipop in her hand.
" Really…" Kagome lowered her head in disappointment.
Inuyasha placed his hand on her shoulder to encourage her, " Don't worry. We'll find him!" He suddenly thought of something, " Hey, maybe…wait, Nevermind."
" What is it?" Miroku asked.
" I said, Nevermind! I'd rather kill myself than to ask help from a bastard like him."
Sango made a thoughtful moment, " Are you…talking about Naraku?"
Inuyasha sighs in exasperation and then nods his head, " Yeah…him. He's Kagewaki's twin bro, right? So I thought maybe he should know something. But then again, this is Naraku we're talking about. He won't tell a fuckin' thing unless we beg him or something. And I ain't gonna beg for that son of a bitch. If he's not telling, then forget him."
" But he may be our only source left," Miroku said, a hand placed under his chin, " But I do agree with you about not going to beg for him. Even I wouldn't want to do such a thing."
Sango turns to Kagome, " What do you think we should do, Kagome-chan? Do you think we should ask Naraku?"
Kagome made a thoughtful expression. Does Naraku know about her secret? Is that why he was after her this whole time? And Naraku hates his brother. Even if he knew where Kagewaki is, would he tell them? Is it possible for Naraku to have connections with the organization?
Miroku looked at his watch after a while and sighs, " I'm sorry to say this but I should be going now. I promised Mushin (his grandfather) that I'm going to help him with the cleaning of the house."
Sango also stood up, " I have to go, too. Kohaku should be home by now and I'm in charge of cooking dinner today. I'm sorry, Kagome-chan."
Kagome smiled and shook her head, " No, you two were of great help. Thank you."
" We could start again tomorrow," Sango smiled and hugged Kagome.
Inuyasha and Kagome watched the two leave the park. Kagome let out a small sigh as she laid her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. " I guess…I should be going now." She said softly, placing a hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat.
The silver-haired boy turned his head to her, caressing her cheek; " I'll drop you then."
" No…I'll be fine…" Kagome spoke, " You don't have t…"
" I want to."
" Inuyasha…" A single tear flowed from her eye. She lowered her head, forming a faint smile on her face. " …Thank you."
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Ms. Higurashi was sweeping the broom outside of her house, humming a tune. She looked up to see the sun already setting and wiped the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand. Ojii-chan should still be back at the temple, sorting the old boxes of ofudas and artifacts. Souta is at his friend's house and probably won't come back until after dark. And Kagome…
She lower her eyelids.
And Kagome…
Could it be that she is starting to figure out? Starting to figure out the secret she held to herself for long?
' It could be…' Ms. Higurashi thought, ' Kagome is a smart girl. She might have figure out everything by now…I feel bad for not telling her. She would've wanted to hear it from her own mother's mouth. Her mother…Me."
" Kanako…"
Eh?
She turns to find Higurashi Kojiro, her former husband, standing behind her with a nervous smile on his face.
" Kanako…" He spoke again softly as though to not frighten her, " It's been…a long time."
She could feel the back of her eyes growing hot but turned her face away to stop the tears from flowing. " Wh…What did you come here for? You heard from father that you're not allowed to be here anymore. I will not hand over Kagome…"
Kojiro smiled, almost sadly. " I came here…to apologize. For everything I did. I'm sorry."
" …and by apologizing…do you think…that will make me happy?" She spoke, lips trembling. " Kagome…do you know how much she suffered? How much I suffered!!? Of course…you would never understand. You never…cared for me anyways. Even though we were married…you were only thinking about your research…about the 'organization'…about…Chie."
" Kanako…"
" Don't think I don't know! I knew everything…about you and Chie! I knew that Kikyou was her child! No one else's!! No one ever thought you'd make a child with her. But I knew!! You betrayed me…! You…" Tears flowed from her eyes, unable to hold it anymore. " …For my whole life…I've always wondered. Why Chie? Why was it always her? My mother and father…they treated Chie like she was a princess or something…everyone looked at her in a special way…but me…I was just a normal girl to all of them. Nothing else. I was…"
" Mother…Father…"" Not yet, Kanako, my dear. It's your sister's birthday today."
" But, it's my birthday today, too!! We were born on the same day!!"
" Oh Kanako…you know your sister is sick. So we've got to take care of her…besides, she wouldn't want to be alone on her birthday."
" But…!!"
" Next time, dear. Next time…"
" But no matter what reasons there were…no matter how people compared Chie and me…I never had the feeling to hate my younger sister. Because no matter who she is…she was my only sister." Ms. Higurashi wiped the tears from her eyes. " I didn't want Kagome to suffer the same thing. I didn't want her to feel left out…feel alone. I didn't want to shock her with the secret…that's why I kept my mouth shut. I know I should be telling this to Kagome ever since…I know as a parent…I'm doing many unforgivable things…But she is still my child! A clone or not, Higurashi Kagome, is my only daughter! And I will not let anyone, even you, take her away from me!"
Kojiro stayed silent for a while. But he soon smiles sadly again and began walking towards her, closing the space between them. Ms. Higurashi flinched as soon as he took a step forward and began taking a step back herself, trying to keep distance.
" Kanako…" He spoke softly as he slowly approached her.
" Don't come!" Her eyes widen in horror, " Don't…!"
But before she can finish, she finds herself wrapped tightly into his firm arms, her face onto his chest. Ms. Higurashi widens her eyes again, but this time in complete surprise.
" Kanako…" Kojiro whispered in her ears softly, " I'm sorry for everything I've done. For letting you suffer…"
Warm, clear tears flowed from her blue eyes again. " Liar…"
Kojiro narrowed his eyes sadly as he tightened the grasp around her. " I'm sorry…" He repeated.
Ms. Higurashi closed her eyes as her tears silently flowed down her cheeks. It's not like she forgives him…but…even though…being in his arms makes her happy. No matter how much she denies to herself. Somewhere in her heart…she was always wishing for him to come back. Just come back to her place…to her side. Forget the organization…forget the stupid research…forget about…
Chie…
' Onee-chan…I wish for your happiness…'' Chie…' An image of her sister crossed her mind. ' I'm sorry…and…'
…Thank you.
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" He's asleep…" Yura said softly as she closed the door behind her. Hiten just nods his head and then lifts the cup of tea in his hand.
After the long talk with Kagome and the others, they decided to leave the café since Manten was starting to fall asleep in Yura's arms, probably tired from watching the movie and playing the whole day. At the time they arrived at Hiten's apartment, the sky was already turning dark and stars started to spot the night sky.
Yura smiles, half worriedly. " Are you still pondering?"
". . . . . . ," Hiten closed his eyes and then slowly pours the tea into his mouth, through his throat. He then sets the half empty cup down on the brown, wooden table. " I've killed so many people…countless amount…I never thought of what is right or wrong. I just did what I was told to."
Yura sat on the chair beside him. " What is ' right ' to you?"
" What do you consider ' right ' ?"
The once-used to be assassin looked down at the cup and stared at his own reflection on the brown tea. Right? What does he consider right?
" I…don't know."
He looks up to see her smiling. " What do you consider ' right ' ?" He asked.
" Hmm…" Yura made a thoughtful expression, placing a finger on her chin. She soon smiled as though she made up her mind and said, " I don't know."
Hiten almost fell from his chair but managed to hold still. " What?"
Yura still held her smile as though nothing happened, " No one knows what is right or wrong. Because it's up to them. To some people, this action may be right to them, but to some, it doesn't. Whether with what's right or wrong, it depends on that person's heart. So, what you think is right, may be different from what others think."
"…So do you think I did the right thing?"
" Hm?" Yura smiled again, " If you think it's right, then I guess it is."
". . . . . . ." Hiten stayed silent for a while, crossing his arms, deep in his thoughts. Yura just stares at him, enjoying the brief moment of silence.
" You are…" She began speaking.
Yura closed her eyes as though to think. She soon opens them and then smiles, " Do you regret what you did?"
" What?"
" Do you regret betraying the 'organization' ?" She asked, " Do you regret…being with me?"
Hiten narrowed his eyes in confusion. " …What are you trying to say?"
Yura lowered her eyelids sadly as she spoke, " Well…because of me…you betrayed the organization…because of me…you are being targeted by them. But don't be mistaken; I'm not saying you should go back to the organization. I don't want you to. I don't want you to commit any more crimes. If it is possible…I want to stay as your light. It must have been hard to live in the darkness…that's why…I want to be your light."
She smiles nervously, " Of course…I don't think I'm capable of being such a thing…but…but if it makes you happy when I am at your side…then that will be fine with me. I won't ask further more. So…I ask you…do you regret…being with me? Because if you do…I'll ju…"
" No…" Hiten interrupted.
" I'll just lea…"
" No." He interrupted again, reaching out for her hands and held it tightly into his. Yura looks at him in surprise. Hiten stares straight into her eyes and then brought her hand to his lip, placing a light kiss on the back of the palm.
" Hiten…"
" In truth…I've thought deeply and long…whether if it was the right thing to betray the organization I've worked for a long time. To turn against…Abi and Goryoumaru…to turn against Him…to turn against Kagewaki-sama. I've thought really long…"
" Then what made you choose your decision?" She asked.
"…To think of it now…I still haven't figured out what. But I know for one thing…ever since the day I vowed to protect you with my life…that it is you. The beautiful smile of yours. Those warm tears that flow from your eyes. The light inside of you…made me decide. Because of you, I was able to attain the courage to betray the organization. Even if I have to suffer from that decision. You are…the only reason for me to live now. " He closed his eyes and leans forward to capture her lips. A quick, soft kiss.
"Mm…" Yura whispered softly before their lips separated.
" Yura…" He spoke and slid a hand inside the pocket of his jeans. " I've already asked you before…and I will ask you again."
He took out a small, black box and opened it in front of her. Yura gasps, her eyes welled with tears, and placed a hand over her mouth. A small, but shiny silver ring with a glittering diamond on the top was placed in the middle of a white cushion inside the box.
" Will you…marry me?" He asked softly. " And forgive me with what I have done to you?"
Tears flowed from her eyes and she quickly squeezed her eyes shut to stop it from flowing.
" Yura?"
" Ever since the day I met you…" She spoke with trembling lips, her head down. " You were my light. When I didn't know anything about the outside world…you'd teach me. You were…the only person I could fully open my heart to. To show you…my weakness. But now…"
She looks up to stare at him, the tears shining at the corner of her eyes. " But now…" She smiles wonderfully. " I want to be your light."
Hiten blinked his eyes in awe. " Then…"
Before he can finish, Yura leaned over and places a soft kiss on his lips, like what he did before. Hiten looked surprise for a moment but soon pulls her head and deepens the kiss. When they separated, he takes her hand and slips the ring through her right ring finger. Yura smiles and then starts chuckling softly.
" What is it?" He asked.
" Nothing." She replied, still trying to suppress her laugh, " I was just wondering…what would Manten-kun say."
Hiten smiled, " Manten…would be happy."
Yura smiles again, brightly. She leans her head on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body. Hiten softly wrapped his arms around her body and held tightly.
" I will never let go of you…anymore." He whispered softly into her ears. And then placed his hands on her clothes…and slowly slipped it off.
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A figured walked down the dark alleyway of the busy streets. He looked up at the starry night sky above him, his red eyes narrowing in disgust.
" Dreams are such a transient thing, is it?" He spoke, almost to himself. " If you don't want your dreams to be crushed, then it'd be better to not dream at all."
Naraku…Naraku turns to find Kagura behind him, holding something that looks like a bundle of cloth in her arms. Kanna was standing next to her, expression-less as usual.
It is almost time, Naraku.
The voice echoed through the dark alleyway. A slightly high-pitched, child-like voice. Naraku narrowed his eyes again as the voice continued to speak.
Find her. Bring her to me.
" Hm." Naraku scoffed, " You think it is right to order me around like that. After all, it is I, who saved you. If I hadn't come, sooner or later, Kagewaki would have killed you. Since…you are the head of the organization. He thinks that if you die, the organization would collapse, which is true."
Hm, those fools of the organization don't know what they're doing. They can't do a thing with Kagewaki gone. But it is only a matter of time. The time is approaching…and by then it will be too late. Find Higurashi Kagome. As soon as possible.
" But, it would be too late if Higurashi Kojiro injected that annoying medicine in her by then." Naraku crossed his arms.
Kagura slowly shifts her arm and the bundle of cloth loosened, revealing a small baby. He had silver-white hair, concaved violet eyes, and a pale skin that was almost white as snow. The baby held a wicked smile on its face and Kagura was sure she saw an evil glint in those eyes.
Fu…no worries, no matter what happens, there is no change that Higurashi Kagome will die. Either they couldn't inject the medicine in time or I kill her…it all matters with the time she has left. And if that time comes… then I will be able to grow to my full self.
" Hm." Naraku smirked, " No wonder Kagewaki, Higurashi Kojiro, and the whole organization is afraid of you. Kagura, Kanna."
" What?" ". . . . . . ."
Kagura glares at him, " What do you want me to do now?"
" I want you to protect the baby with all your cost. And to also bring Higurashi Kagome to me."
" Ha, why should I…"
Naraku narrowed his eyes evilly, a smug expression on his face. " You have no other choice, Kagura. Unless…" He takes out a small, something that looked like a button from his pocket and Kagura widens her eyes in horror. " Unless…you want me to press this."
Kagura takes a step back, " N…no! P…please! Anything but that!"
Naraku smirked, enjoying the horrified expression on her face. " Then, you will do what I say. Do you understand?"
Kagura lowers her head in defeat, gritting her teeth. " Fine…I…I'll do what you say."
Kanna looks up to stare at her sister. She clearly saw something shiny rolling down her sister's cheek and closes her eyes.
I will…protect you…Kagura.
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- Hikaru
Ka…Kagura-------------!!! :: cries ::
Sorry. I just read the new issues of Inuyasha manga today…and I was so shocked to see Kagura die!! I was thinking she would survive the whole thing and either Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru will be able to free her from Naraku's hands. But no…that didn't happen. She died…
But at least…she was able to be feel the feeling of being free, to be able to feel her own heart actually pulse inside of her, to be able to see Sesshoumaru before she died. Her last smile was just so beautiful…I literally cried. (Plus, I was listening to a sad song at that time. I think it was ' Hero' from the first Spiderman movie. Ohh! The Angst!!) I'm not really much of a Sess/Kagura fan. I'm more of a Kagura one-sided love towards Sesshoumaru person…but this episode just made me think that Kagura was happy to know that Sesshoumaru actually came for her. There's nothing more a happier feeling like that. In my point of view, it was both a sad and happy ending for her.
Kagura…I wish for your happiness even after death. And am very happy to see that you're finally free like the wind. Good-bye Kagura…but I will never forget you.
Well, after all that, I just wonder how Kanna would feel like. I mean, I know she's made out of nothingness so there's a great possibility that she won't feel nothing about it…but come on. Can't I dream? They are sisters…so she should at least feel sad or something.
Chapter Forty-two, and I hoped you guys liked it! A new character!? Who's this baby Kagura is carrying!? Though, I figure you guys should already know. Stay tune, till the next chapter!!