Arterial Wish
CH 1: Prologue - Difference of Now & Then
The city of Tokyo ran as busy as before, and in the midst of it all, one woman walked her slowest, never minding the change that everything was taking part in. For her, time was not something that she treasured most. After all, she had it all.
There wasn't anything in the world that she hadn't gotten or had. But, now that she stood here and thought about it, was everything really she had wanted? She didn't know... The truth was, before in the past, maybe it was true. Maybe, she had wanted everything and in some way, she got everything. And all in all, she didn't want it now.
How years could go by so quickly and her past lovers died so quickly. Yet, even in the midst of their death, to her eyes, they had remained beautiful. So, it was true after all, immortals are jealous of mortals. In the eyes of immortals, mortals are always beautiful.
And that was exactly what she was: immortal.
She looked around, her black, grey eyes observing nearly every detail of where she stood. On front of her, was the old shrine, owned by the family she was born in. She was far too old to bring back memories, yet she did so anyway.
In her mind, she could never forget the way the trees in the past would grow so quickly, the air so thick and beautiful. Now, instead of trees growing and aging - it was buildings. And as much as she hated it, she knew that some of them belonged to hers.
She walked towards the shrine ever so slowly, taking her time as if she had nothing better to do. Deep inside her mind, the scenery that she was looking forward to crumbled and was replaced by the forest that she had once known. And in the front of it all, stood her past self.
The young innocent, Kagome.
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Kagome turned around, her clothes ripped by the past battle with Naraku. She had never thought that she could do it. She had never imagined that she could beat Naraku, and do this without the real need of help of others. But, then again, she had never really used the full power of Shikon no Tama when it was in her body.
"Kagome..." Instantly, she turned around and was faced with Inuyasha's damaged form. There was a small grinned placed upon his lips as he looked at her.
She smiled back, sadly. Even though she could never have him, she would still love him as a friend. It didn't take long until he collapsed to the ground, and she ran towards him, the strength inside her unbelievable. "Inuyasha..." She hissed, kneeling before him and trying to mend with his wounds. "Be ok."
A look of total amazement filled Inuyasha's face. "You're not even tired." He stated, still starring at her. "Kagome, you have the Shikon no Tama." He leaned towards her, his head falling to her lap as his hands travelled to her face. "And you look more beautiful than ever..." He whispered and his eyes closed, as his breathing started to slow down.
"Inuyasha!" She cried, worried.
Footsteps could be heard from behind her, she knew the sounds to be from Miroku and Sango, and was assured when two hands -from different people- landed on both her shoulders.
"Make a wish." She heard Sango whispered. "It's the only way to save him now."
She saved him.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
The woman walked in her casual, elegant clothes. No matter how time goes, she was still never one to get use to change hers so easily. She had never wanted to wear the clothes most young women wear. No, she wasn't young anymore. She wasn't a normal teenager girl anymore. She was the wealthiest woman in the whole Japan.
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"I choose you." Inuyasha said, but to her ears, it sounded more liked he didn't like what he choice. Whatever it was that he choice. In other words, it didn't sounded like he meant it.
And that, to her, wasn't right. "What?" She asked, knowing that this would annoy him. "Inuyasha, do you have a fever? I mean, you don't usually go up to me when I'm about to leave for my time and go: "I choose you". There's something very wrong here." She concluded, and if it could happen, she knew that Inuyasha's ears would have gassed out heat.
"Don't fuck with me, Kagome. Don't you fucking leave me when you know I fucking..." Inuyasha mumbled on later and Kagome did not hear his words clearly.
Annoyed, she gave a questioning look. "Continue." Said Kagome, her eyes twitching. "This is what I heard from you, Inuyasha. 'Blah fuck blah me, Kagome. Blah blah fucking blah me blah blah blah I fucking...and the rest most unclear'." She gave him a glare.
In return, he glared her back. "Wench," he retorted.
Also, in return, she sighed and started to leave, headed for the old well. "I'll see you..." She wasn't fast enough, for in the end, her wrist was grabbed by Inuyasha.
"I said, I fucking choice you!" Inuyasha yelled, his face for once wasn't angry, but concerned.
Concerned for what? She wanted to know. "What do you mean?"
She was pulled into an embraced she had never expected. "I want to be with you."
In the end of that day, she got what she wanted. At least that was what she thought...
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
The woman stood near the God Tree, it amazed her that it was still alive after all these years. On it, she could see where Inuyasha wrote his last words.
"Excuse me, Mam." A man stood before her. Deep in his eyes, she could see something she didn't know. On his face, she could see a grin. "But, what are you doing here?" He asked, his voice light and respectful, reminding her of a friend in the past.
The woman turned to fully face him, her face now showing a smile. "I was looking for the Higurashi family," she said, her voice formal.
The man gave a slight nod. "You mean the family that use to own this shrine?"
She observed the man as the fringes on her hair was blown by the wind. i So, they left... /i She thought, not surprised by the news. After all, her family was probably reminded of her old self when they are near this place. And she wondered, would they still be alive now? She gave a nod to the man before her.
"They sold this shrine to us," said the man as his eyes wandered over her body. She didn't mind.
Now that she had noticed it, he wasn't the typical type of looking man. He had strange features, such as the dark blue hair and dark blue eyes. But he spoke fluent Japanese, so he was born here. But maybe she was just presuming things. Though, she felt something weird from him as well. A source of curse...
His eyes travelled to meet hers, as she watched him stiffen and his eyes quickly snapped towards the God Tree. "Such a beautiful tree, isn't it?" He asked, watching as she nodded solemnly. "Hmm...I wouldn't be surprised if it has lived for at least two centuries."
"Five centuries." She stated.
He gave her a curious glance and coughed, trying to gain her attention. "I take it that you are connected with the Higurashi family?" He asked, watching as she nodded again. "If you don't mind me asking, who are you?"
Her eyes travelled from the tree, to the shrine behind him and then connect to his eyes. It surprised him that she had such an intense stare, as if she could see right through your soul. She seemed too wise for her age. If he could judge from now, he would guess that she was no older than twenty.
"Taisho." She replied formally and added, "Kagome."
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In the middle of the night, almost near the God Tree, Kagome could be spotted trying to hide. No, she wasn't hiding she was running. For once, she had wanted to run from Inuyasha and his incredible ways of wanting to keep her. She didn't know what was up with him, but she just had to get away for a little while. She wanted to visit her family, see them and touch them.
However, her plan was ruined when she looked up. On the God Tree, his eyes almost red, sat Inuyasha. Her voice left her and she coward back.
"What did you think you were doing?" He asked, his voice silent yet deadly.
After a few moments, she regained her composure. "Inuyasha, I just wanted to visit my family..." He landed gracefully on the ground before her. "You have to let me...!" She wasn't able to finish, and when she touched her cheeks, was when she felt the impact of his slap. Her eyes wondered to him, horrified.
Instantly, before she could run away, she was once again embraced by the enrage hanyou. "You can't go..." She heard him whisper as he nuzzled her. "You won't come back."
After a couple of minutes, when his form slightly lost some of tensions, she pulled away a little, feeling him tense more. "Inuyasha, what are you talking about?"
Everything was hard to explain with her and everything had to be explained to her. He knew he had to tell her, but he also knew that she might use it against him. What if she leaves him behind? He didn't want that, but he had to tell her.
"The Shikon no Tama," he started. "It's a part of you now. Somehow, when you revived me, I was able to find out that you are immortal and that if you return to the future, you can never come back. If you want to see your family, see them later...but don't leave me. I won't be able to go through."
Her eyes widened for a second. "But that can't be right...I made a wish." She whispered to herself. "The jewel should be gone now."
Inuyasha shook his head. "It isn't, it's inside you Kagome. Also, Midoriko told me that you shouldn't be walking around with you being the Shikon no Tama."
"W-why not?" She asked, almost wanting to cover her ears.
He tightened his embrace on her. "Because you are everybody's wish."
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She watched as the man's eyes widened. "You don't mean...Taisho? Kagome Taisho? The owner of the Taisho corp.? The youngest and only left family member of the Taisho family?" The man asked, his eyes sparkling in amazement. She nodded, her face neutral now.
And expectedly. "What are you doing here!" He asked in amazement as he quickly bowed, grabbed her hands and gave it a big shake. "My, my...I never thought that this old shrine would interest such beauty and wealth so easily..." He quickly shook his head. "Sorry, my name is Shigure. Sohma Shigure, but you may just call me Shigure."
"Sohma..." She repeated, as if knowing the name.
He gave his question looked, "Oh, I see that you know one of our family?"
She gave a smile. "Why would you presume such, Shigure-san?"
A wide grin spread across his face. "Just say that I am a good judge of character." He leaned a little forward, his eyes checking if someone is watching. One of his hands came to a whispering mode. "I'm an author of many books, even the adult ones..." He heard a small chuckle, and he straightened. "So, she laughs."
"In many ways." She replied. "And yes, I do know one of your family members."
Shigure gave a distant look. "Oh, and who may that be?" He asked, seeming to be interested.
The woman gave a distinct smile. "He's my current doctor at the moment and he goes by the name, Soma Hatori."
A big, dreadful sigh emerged from Shirgure's lips as his shoulders slouched. "Oh, I see! Hatori!" he said, as if heart broken. "He once again takes what I am in need of! And I just had met my true love." With that, he took the woman's hand in his. "Will you refuse him and be with me?"
Another chuckle emerged from her lips. "You have that mistaken, Hatori-san and I aren't...like that with each other."
"I know that much. So, you, my fair lady, is still untouched..."
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Ten years had past after Naraku died, yet with all the powers she held, she still wasn't sure of what Inuyasha meant. But what saddened her most, was that even after all the things that has happened, she could only stay still and watch as her friend's bodied crumbled and weakened because of something as simple as aging. Yet, her, she was still the same...nothing changed.
"Kagome-sama," Rin whispered. "Thank you for taking me in."
She gave a sincere smile. "You really wish to become a miko, Rin?"
It had been seven years ago when the so-called Lord Sesshoumaru gave Rin away. She didn't know how one could be so cruel, but she knew that if there was one, it would be Sesshoumaru. He was, after all, just a youkai. - A heartless, cold-hearted youkai at that.
Her blood wanted to boil with all the anger. How dare he throw away a girl like Rin? The only girl that could have probably loves him? Yet, even with all that, he threw her away, discarded her like all the others humans. And for that, Kagome will never forgive him.
Rin nodded. "It's all I have left in life, Kagome-sama. Maybe, he'll see me as something different...than a little girl."
"Maybe." Kagome replied, trying her best to hide her anger.
And it wasn't until moments did Kagome felt Rin's hands grabbed hers.
Ever so lightly, she whispered. "I wish to become a full-grown Miko."
It came true...
And Rin, died that day.
No one, not even the wish, could save her.
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"I'll see you later." She waved a polite goodbye to Shigure.
He reminded her of one person, i that place /i reminded her of her past. Not many places in Japan had places such as that, and with all the memories that was coming back, she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep herself from keeping her act.
Another difference, no matter how she loved, she will never be in love.
Not like the way with Inuyasha.
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"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you," Kagome whispered, as tears started to run down on her face. "Why do you love me?" She asked, watching as the old aged hanyou tried to breathe.
On the futon, Inuyasha looked towards Kagome, his eyes crystallised by some substance. Though he had wrinkles on his face, his white hair now turned grey and his once before cute dog-ears were ripped, everything about him was still beautiful. To her eyes, he was still beautiful.
He had lived a good life. He was always by her side, always trying his best to protect her. And she knew, that even with the power she held, she did needed protecting. Not only from evil people, but from everyone. However, after almost two centuries of being together and travelling, she knew that even aging would get to him, just like to what happened with all her other friends.
Softly, he touched her cheek. "I love you." he words were stressed out, and they were the last words he had ever said.
Her sweet, loving Inuyasha, died on her lap that night.
He never did answer her question.
Did he love her for her? Or did he love her because she saved his life?
Which one?
Not even wishes could help her find out.
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What were the differences of now and then? One, in the past, everything seemed simpler and back then, even if they were fewer people, she could hardly feel alone. Now, even with millions of people around and more technology, she felt alone. Now, only less magic exist and she is one of them.
Back then; she had true friends, a real love and a place to return to.
Now, she had idiots following her around, one-night lovers and buildings she hated.
And they use to say that the future was always better than the past.
What a load of bullshit.
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Inside his plane, he looked outside at the window. Outside he could see lights surrounding buildings. He had always hated cities, but for now, he needed to find something and he'd be damn if he let some filthy humans keep it. He had searched for it after he heard of his brother's death. And after all the information he had gotten, he only found out that one of his brother's whore kept it and hid it somewhere.
It didn't matter; he would regain what was his, even if he had to turn Japan upside down to do so. After all, this is his reason for leaving his quiet home. And while at it, of course he would expand his wealth. The Taisho corp. shouldn't be too hard to purchase. It was only some human bitch who was in charge of it now, anyway.
Taisho... Now, where have he heard it from before? Oh, yes, his father. Well, for him, it didn't matter. It was always about business and power and wealth.
Five centuries ago he was still not as advance and powerful as once thought and he now realised that he had wasted time. This time, he would take no chances. After all, he wasn't growing any younger. And though he knew he would still live a few more millenniums, he still did not believe that time should be wasted. After all the centuries of that he had lived in, he had not wasted a second, but kept updating and kept getting or changing to stronger and better.
He felt the presence of the man standing on front of him. "The flight will be over soon, Takaha Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Hn," clearly, that simple sound was a way to dismiss a person, for the man left soon. Amusingly, he still find the presence of humans intolerable, but on special occasions, he would simply try his best to block their scent.
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"Everything will be fine, Kagome." A voice beside her said, his voice thick with concern. "I'll always be here for you. I'm a youkai, I can live for a really long time."
Kagome looked towards him, seeing his past cute face turn into the mature kitsune youkai that he became after two short centuries. As she thought about it now, she didn't exactly know why he still cared about her. After all, she had left him after Rin's death. She became selfish and wanted to be with Inuyasha for as long as he lived. So, without thinking, she left them.
Yet now, when she came back here to this place, she wasn't expecting the welcome she received. The kitsune youkai that she had abandoned and was suppose to mother had turned into a man. He wasn't young anymore and suddenly, she felt useless. However, even after what she did, he hugged her and tried to lead her to the light.
What she didn't expect however was that what she thought was pure, innocent, little Shippou -the young youkai boy- caring for her and just wanting to give, well, it wasn't. He wanted something in return, something that she couldn't give in return and something that was entirely wrong for her eyes. He didn't love her the way she loved him. And she could never love him that he was in love with her.
His eyes were full of emotions, his green eyes reflecting her image like mirror. "Now that he's gone...you don't have to suffer. We can..."
"Don't." She interrupted. "Shippou, you don't want this...I don't want this. Inuyasha-"
"-Is dead." He ended for her. "Why can't you see that!" He asked, furious and frightened. "Do you really wish to live alone forever?"
"Shippou...you don't understand. I love Inuyasha." She replied quietly. "And I see you as..."
He tore his eyes away from her. "As a son, a little boy. Little, cute Shippou." He grabbed her hand, his gripped tight. "Without you I am nothing and without your real love...I deserve nothing else. I will not need anything else."
"Shippou..."
Once again, something she didn't expect happened. When she tried to disconnect her hands from his, he said words that had ultimately taken his life. And all he had to do was wish.
"And nothing I should be." He whispered, and with that added, "I wish I was never born."
With that, Shippou was wiped out from history.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
The bedroom was in darkness when Kagome woke up, and at first she didn't know why she woke. That was until she raised her head a little and saw the well-defined and surely expensive phone beside her bed flash a little and the little 'beep' sound went on again.
Groaning and tired, she let her hands land on the phone. She didn't know or even had an idea to who it would be, but she knew that it had to be someone important. Or else, she would definitely cancel everything that was planned for the day and annoy the lower people beneath her in managing the company.
Mentally she smirked. i Perfect thought... /i
She sat up a little before talking. "Who is it?" She asked, trying to sound normal.
For a few minutes no one answer and only mumbles of people talking were heard.
"Hatori! Talk to her for me, please!" A voice that seemingly sounded familiar said in the background.
There was a slight pause before the answer. "No." Clearly that would be her doctor.
"You are soooo mean!" The familiar voice replied. "Fine, Ayame can talk to her!" /i
The phone made creaking noises as if it was being passed around. Only after a few more minutes of being annoyed and disturbed did a voice finally spoke clearly.
"Well, hello there, princess." An older, dignified voice said.
"Hello, who is this?" Kagome asked, wanting these people to get to the point. "You do know that you have disturbed my sleep. Can I presume that it was Hatori who gave you my private number?"
A chuckle was heard, silky yet annoying, to her ears he was very loud. "Oh, you are quite the charmer, princess. And yes, it was my dear Hatori who gave us the phone."
"What is that you want, then?" Kagome asked, a little disappointed to find out that she cannot, after all, use this as an excuse to miss her company meetings and appointments.
"We would like to invite you to join us for dinner."
She thought about it for a while, her mind wondering if she should or should not accept. Tonight...she had to have dinner with the owner of another company that is quite large in Kyoto. Surely, missing this would mean she might lose a great amount of money. And it was obvious that by what her secretary said, who was recently fired yesterday, the owner does not like to travel all the time.
And with the thought of loosing money, annoying business men, her company not getting any larger and more importantly once again, loosing a lot of money, she wanted to miss the dinner more than ever.
She smiled to herself. "Yes, I wish to have dinner with you. Where exactly should I visit?" She asked.
From what she could hear from the phone, she heard a chuckle, words being said such as "I knew she wouldn't refuse." And a man saying, "Idiots." She didn't eve have to guess to find out who it was.
"Please, 7 pm at Tenshi restaurant. We'll have the best table reserved."
Kagome nodded, scribbling what she had on her schedule with a pen and writing beneath it what to do. "Will Hatori-san join us?" She asked, not knowing why she wanted him to do so anyway.
"Yes," a voice replied. It was calm and precise, and she knew it was Hatori.
"Do I still have my appointment with you this afternoon?" She asked, unsure of what he will say.
"You have missed it already, Taisho."
Her head snapped up, with a leap from her bed, she ran towards the big window cover by the large curtain. And to her surprise, when she opened it, she found the sunlight was already out and she could tell that it was pass 2 pm. "I apologise, I over slept."
"No worry, you may visit my office right now and get your check-up appointment." He replied.
"Fine." She replied. "And Hatori?" She heard him gave a 'hm'. "About my private phone number."
"My deep apologies, I did not realise how foolish they can get."
A dry chuckle escaped her lips. "No, it's quite fine. I just don't want anyone else involve, ok?"
"Yes."
"I'll see you. Bye."
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Walking out of her hotel room she slept in was always a pain. Especially now that the newspaper had just recently found out about her so-called break-up with her secretary. In fact, she had never had a relationship with him - not including sexual one that is.
She had once found him amusing and entertaining, so she guessed that she couldn't help but get curious. And for a moment within them being together, she had once actually thought that maybe it was right, until she was once again slammed with the reality that he would die. She had no right to keep him, knowing that she couldn't give him a future or value in life.
As years past, she had realised that living a normal life wasn't a reality for her, but a dream. She couldn't have children for she wouldn't know what she'd do if she had to watch them die. Even with Inuyasha she had refused, but she knew that he wouldn't want them as well. Since, they would be three-quarters youkai after all.
Kagome checked her watch, knowing that she was right on time. And she wasn't surprised when she heard the woman said her name, telling her to enter Hatori's office. Doing as she was told, Kagome sat up and walked towards the door and opened it. The emotionless and observing eyes greeted her.
"Good afternoon." She said politely, not bothering to ask if she should sit or not, she just did so anyway. And she knew that this wasn't really what you would call doctor's appointment. She dropped the papers that were grasped in her hands.
Ever so gently, he sat on his chair. "People are suspicious, I know this much." He said, his eyes landing on her. "It makes them wonder why a rich family would always have a daughter who looks identical to her mother. It also does not help that the name you choice to have this time seems to remind them of a family member from your past."
She looked at him, questioning with her eyes why he was so formal with her today. But she guessed that he wanted her to pay for what she did. But, she had to do it.
"It's my real name." She informed him. "And it was I who had the name before."
"So, you have lived for three centuries."
"Five centuries, Hatori." She corrected whilst giving him a saddened look. "A reason why even after I accept you for your curse, we still cannot..."
He stood, not wanting for her to finish and he started to walk towards the window as he looked outside. "We are here to discussed of professionals matters, Taisho. Bringing forth what has happened will not change anything."
A sigh escaped from her lips. "You are full-aware that I meant to end things, not bring them forth."
He faced her, this time his eyes hard. "You, of all people, Taisho, should know that things would not simply end. And that the actual ending is with their lives."
"Why does everything have to be so complicated with you?" She asked, aware of harsh stare. "It's simple: you will die, I will live on. I'll live even longer than this world, until humanity seizes to exist. Aren't you happy that I'm letting you go?"
He walked towards the papers, quickly scheming through them before nodding at her. "Your profiles for your next life will be done next week. You may leave, Taisho."
Kagome gave an understanding nod. "Maybe some day you'll see what I meant." She whispered before heading for the door. And before she could completely leave the room, she thought she heard him say something, but it wasn't clear and she left, not knowing the words were true.
What he said was: "You didn't let me go, you can't let go something you never wanted. You simply ran away."
END OF CH 1 - Arterial Wish
Demon Tenshi: I had this idea of the Fanfic a while ago, but I had decided to finish Nightly Radiance before starting on this one. Anyway, it's my fourth FF and I hope that it was ok. I really hate first chapters. Please, review.