I was filled with determination.
I WILL FINISH THIS STORY!
No more updates on TSH or the redone one. NOT UNTIL THIS IS THROUGH! Only one more chapter after this and then...WHALAH!
shakes fist
I will finish this.
BELIEVE IT!
Always There
Chapter 16
It wasn't true.
It wasn't real.
Kagome shook her head and shadows started to eat away at the edges of her vision.
He wasn't there.
With the extent of her shock, consciousness began to ebb away but the miko fought against it desperately. She couldn't keep her eyes off of…
The illusion.
The trick.
It's not real, he's trying to, he's…h-he's…
She let out a jagged breath and her lips pulled back in pain. Tears—there had been so many, will they ever just stop?—spilled without her notice. She couldn't look away. She couldn't finish the thought.
They were too horrible to bear. Would anyone be that cruel?
Naraku would.
It wasn't real.
Panic welled up in her chest when Inuyasha—no, no! TRICK! It's not REAL! No, no, no!—held her gaze and took a step forward. Kagome's head wobbled from side to side and she repeated that word over and over again.
"No….no…."
His amber eyes, so vivid and bright, so…awful! They were so perfect and that was just so…
They made her heart hurt.
They made her think of…
Life draining, blood spilling, and her cold quivering fingers shutting them forever.
NO!
He whispered her name. IT spoke her name again, concern so evident. That was just another clue, another reason why this wasn't happening! Her Inuyasha would have never been so open with his concern, right? Her Inuyasha wouldn't hold his hand out for her, right?
"Oh…n-nooooo…" she groaned, hugging herself tight, continuing to shake her head and walking backwards.
I-I've lost it. I've finally lost my sanity. It's happened…I've gone completely crazy…
I'm seeing him again. And he looks so real…no…
How dare her imagination fool her like this! How dare it be…so good…better than those times before!
Her mind had remembered every little detail; the harsh line of his jaw, the angle of his nose and cheekbones, the unconscious twitch of his ears, and his eyes.
His eyes were the best by far. They were perfect and so…awful…
He came closer.
Her stupor snapped.
And Kagome screamed.
"NO! You're not here!"
She spun, and stumbled harshly to the ground. Pain pricked, and blood oozed, but Kagome noticed neither. Time could not keep up with the frantic shrieking of her mind.
RUN! HE'S NOT REAL! INUYASHA'S DEAD! RUN! RUN! RUN!
And she, without hesitation, did just that.
Kagome ran.
Inuyasha stood dumbstruck.
He had day dreamed frequently on what would happen when he reunited with his pack in his original form.
But this had not been it.
Heh, far from it!
Inuyasha watched, his heart flattening by pressure, on Kagome's limping form. Her shrill cry of agony still rang in his mind.
And he had seen fear in those eyes.
That was the most difficult part.
Kagome had been afraid of him.
His thoughts still centered on his love, he couldn't quite understand why suddenly he was looking over at Sango. She appeared to be saying something, yelling was a more operative word. And she seemed very angry.
But there was fear on her face as well.
This wasn't going the way he had wanted it.
Muffled and distorted, his brain tried to soak in the taijiya's words.
"You bastard!"
Hey…Miroku was holding her back for some reason…and she was struggling pretty hard…
Inuyasha finally began to shake off this weird daze—he'd deal with Kagome soon--and realized…Miroku was trying to prevent Sango from attacking him!
What the…?
"You bastard! You cruel, heartless, scum! Why do you find joy in other people's pain? You sick, conniving…stop it!"
Inuyasha blinked and his breath hitched.
What the…had he done something wrong?
"Sango…"
"Don't say my name!" she screamed and droplets of tears flew around her. Inuyasha's jaws snapped closed. "Stop torturing us…you've already won, got it? You don't need to do this anymore…just stop it…"
Sango started to sob and her strength drained away causing her to sag against Miroku's hold.
"Stop it…stop this…"
Shippo hopped on the woman's shoulder, hugging her neck, glaring forthright at the hanyou. "Y-yeah…aren't you satisfied? STOP IT!"
Inuyasha furrowed his brows, his good ol' temper beginning to flare.
Now wait just a minute! He was back from the dead. Shouldn't they be happy?
He turned to seek help form his brother but Sesshomaru had vanished. His irritation grew.
Oh yeah thanks, leave me to fend for myself why don't ya?
Inuyasha yelped when pain split in his temple. He whirled around to see Kaede, red faced, and crying too! She still held her bow in the air, ready to strike again.
"How dare ye! How cruel can one be? Haven't ye enjoyed our suffering enough?"
"What the hell are you—"
"Shut up you bastard!" Sango ripped off one of the monk's arms and tried to get at her concealed katana. "I'll make you pay! For killing Inuyasha and then pretending to be him! Naraku, you have gone way too far! DIE!"
And then she shrugged free from Miroku's grasp. Shippo bounded off just in time as Sango barreled towards Inuyasha, sword glinting aloft in her arm, ready to stab and kill.
Inuyasha's body seemed to be entangled in jello. His movements to defend himself were sluggish. She was going to kill him…or at least try her damn best at it! And to take the cake…everyone thought he was his worst enemy!
Talk about cutting a guy down.
Sango let out a mighty roar, lifting the weapon higher, aiming for the vulnerability of his throat…but having Miroku's staff whipping around and being pulled back against her stomach, causing her to grunt out her last breath, drop the sword, and collapse against the man's chest…didn't quite get the sword to it's destination.
But that's nothing to feel bad about, really.
Inuyasha, arms still halfway up to cover his face, stared at the gasping woman with stunned eyes.
Everyone else was staring at Miroku.
"W-why…why did ye do that Miroku?" Kaede spoke, her voice thin and wispy. She was backing away from the hanyou, and there was terror on her face as she nervously glanced in Inuyasha's direction. "Do ye not know what is happening? Naraku has disguised himself as Inuyasha… he's trying to…"
"Lady Kaede," Miroku grunted, lowering his staff to the ground and wrapping his arms around Sango's form, who was still trying to regain her breath. "Do you not realize that he has not attacked us yet? He hasn't done anything remotely—"
"He's going to get us when we're sleeping!" Shippo shrieked, tears running down his face. "He's trying to trick us!"
Inuyasha instinctively took a step back, arms still tense, when he saw the murder in Sango's glassy eyes, "Oi, did you guys hit your heads or something? In case you haven't noticed…I kind of destroyed that bastard with my wind Scar!"
"Stop playing this little game…we know who you are!"
"Yeah, I'm—"
"Yasha."
Inuyasha briskly nodded to Miroku, "Exactly." He blinked, "Hey, wait…"
All eyes fixed on the monk again. Miroku was staring at Inuyasha with a narrowed look, as if peering right through to his core.
Sure the hell was nerve-wracking. Inuyasha tried not to squirm.
"What are ye saying?"
Shippo was the only one who moved, running over to Kaede and clutching a shivering paw to her kimono.
They all waited.
Miroku slowly stepped away from Sango, now sitting on her rump, rubbing her bruised middle absentmindedly. The monk glared at Inuyasha and stepped towards him.
Inuyasha found that he was frozen. He couldn't fairly well attack one of his own companions. And he wasn't sure if he should run. Not like that was an option anyway, he wasn't scared of his own pack! That was ridiculous.
It was just…not everything was really connected in his head right now. Things were getting pretty confusing for the poor boy.
So the hanyou stood there, leaning back a bit, eyeing the approaching monk cautiously.
Miroku stopped a few inches in front of him. The glare never softened.
Out of no where, the monk punched Inuyasha's head.
"OW! Hey, what the hell was that for?"
"For being so damn cocky! It's not everyday that your friend comes back from the dead! You need to practice subtlety, Inuyasha, I swear to you." Inuyasha rubbed his head and straightened to his feet.
"Well what the hell am I supposed to do? Hug everyone? Sango tried to stab me!"
Miroku crossed his arms and shouted, "We all witnessed your murder, Inuyasha! What do you expect? Naraku has all deceived us before, why shouldn't we think he'd try at it again?"
"I, well, dammit, Miroku you didn't have to hit me so hard!" Inuyasha growled. What was he supposed to say to that? Naraku was using Sango's own brother against her, and let's not mention all the other number of crap he had pulled; it was highly understandable to think that he would try something as heartless as pretending to be their hanyou friend reborn.
But still…come on!
Miroku's mouth twitched. "I did not strike you that hard, Inuyasha. Has the days of being a puppy gotten you that soft?"
"W-wait…a puppy…are you saying…Yasha he…?"
Miroku tilted his head so his voice could reach his stock stiff companions behind him. "Yes, the Yasha that we had become so accustomed to have around…was our very own Inuyasha."
Now, on their travels there had been stranger happenings. So it wasn't that hard for them to accept this…
Well, kind of.
Kaede's eyes widened, "That is absurd, Miroku, and you know it. I-if a dog could be…no, it's more likely Naraku…"
Their puppy flying up into the air, transforming, and then in his place…could it really be?
Inuyasha snorted, "For the last time…I am not Naraku!"
No one paid him any attention. Inuyasha bit the inside of his cheek in aggravation.
Sango had the same ghostly look on her face as the old woman's as she whispered, "B-but it can't be…Inuyasha…you're…he's dead…we saw him…you…you died!" she clambered to her feet, "It can't be true. You died, Inuyasha! You lost your arm…a-and…all that b-blood…it can't be you…"
Miroku turned to the struggling taijiya, his expression soft, "It is, Sango. I know it's hard to believe. But I'm sure Inuyasha can explain it all."
The monk's words had a calming affect and the hanyou found even his temper had cooled. He grunted, "Yeah, its one hell of a story. But I'll have to tell it later. That damn girl just ran of into the forest! She'll most likely get picked off for a late snack if I don't go get her."
He didn't have time to deal with this right now! They deserved an explanation but…
Miroku smiled, "Then you better go get her."
In turn a smirk started to grow on Inuyasha's face and he nodded, beginning to raise his leg to dash off when a weight landed on his foot.
"W-wait!" cried a small cracked voice. Inuyasha looked down at Shippo, his short arms trying their best to wrap full around the hanyou's calve. "Wait…d-don't go…not yet…you…" there was a buzz of confusion in his emerald orbs. And the kitsune suddenly shouted out, chest snagging with air and pushed down sobs, "You have to prove it first! I need you to prove it…prove it…I need to know…that you're not…that you're papa. Oh, please don't leave me papa!"
Boulders of emotion crashed into Inuyasha all at once. He almost buckled beneath it. Hearing that broken sound of sorrow and desperate hope, feeling the small tremors in his son's fingers, and those stupid tears…hadn't he seen enough crying? Hadn't they all cried enough? The need was so powerful, Inuyasha almost wanted to beg and scream for it.
Please no more crying!
Shippo seized onto the hanyou's leg till his arms grew pale and muffled the lung jerking howls ripping from his throat into the thick kimono. He had tried to hard to be strong. Had tried to be a good leader, to be like Inuyasha; it had been so hard. And then suddenly to see his surrogate father drift down from the skies, to feel almost painful hope, and afterward waves of denial and doubt. That rising rage, thinking that Naraku would--- it had been so powerful and dark that…it frightened him!
And now, now having Miroku say…Inuyasha…didn't look…and his scent could never have been recreated so flawlessly like this…and he sure acted like him…but…
"Papa," Shippo whimpered. I'm so confused. I don't know what to think! Papa, please…please let it be you…prove it to me…
The kit stiffened when a warm palm was placed on his head and he jerked his chin up in surprise. Inuyasha tried to smile, but he knew it couldn't be done, not with seeing Shippo act this way. And Kagome too. Everyone, their emotions were so potent he could smell them in the air, feel them smacking him.
They had been pretty stupid hadn't they? They had traveled together for months, but had never opened up. Not enough to show their real selves. Had hardly even cracked open the lid.
Even with their grief, they had tried to keep it to themselves, deal with it on their own.
But Yasha had seen it all. All of them, one by one. And for being the kind of guy who kept to himself and disliked emotional conversations and conflicts, to be forced into seeing this side of his friends that he could have done without…
It ends up being too much.
And Inuyasha wanted it to finally stop. Stop it.
He didn't want them to hurt because of him anymore.
Please stop it.
Inuyasha knew that his heart was shining in his eyes as clear as day. His mask of indifference and anger, which he had grown so accustomed to wearing, had dropped.
He had changed a lot.
He had seen and heard a lot.
Please stop crying.
But the want was so strong, that he didn't care. He would later, pride would awaken later and he would blush, mutter something in embarrassment or maybe shout and then change the subject. But for now…
Shippo was staring up at him with such raw pain.
He had seen that in everyone's eyes, in the weeks he had been Yasha. To see it and not have the voice to make them stop, to be only able to fight against self pride and morals that had developed over years of torment and cruelty and give in to those puppy instincts and try to comfort them…erase that look…
But having it always come back when someone spoke his name or noticed his rosary or Tetsusaiga. Or wake up in the morning in cold sweat from that nightmare they all had shared. He sinking into darkness in a pool of his own blood, body shredded beyond repair.
He needed this pain to stop!
"Shippo…" Inuyasha balled his hand in the child's orange fur, "D-don't do that. Stop crying…"
"Papa…you were Yasha weren't you…you were him that night…right?"
That crack again, such desperation, Inuyasha nodded and Shippo's face crumpled. "R-really…?"
Inuyasha slowly clipped the boy's fingers from his clothes but before he could let go of Shippo's hands, his little paws tightened around his own. "Tell me! Was it you?"
Inuyasha growled trying to stay in control of those blasted emotions, trying to gain some dignity back, everyone was watching them! But the growl wouldn't grow, rumbling in his throbbing throat like a purr.
He nodded. "You still have it don't you?"
Shippo licked his lips, "What?"
He was going to destroy any doubt that could still linger, though his son's eyes were glowing in faith. He kept his voice low so only Shippo could hear, "You found it in my clothes, the little pocket on the right. You still have it don't you?"
It dawned on the kit in slow provision.
Shippo's eyes widened. The ball! Inuyasha's ball!
It was him for sure! No one knew about that except…
That was all that needed to be said.
His face broke into a grin and he nodded up, down, up, down, up, down, "PAPA!"
Shippo lunged and Inuyasha caught him, automatically crushing him to his chest. Who the hell cared now? He had his body and was now able to comfort Shippo properly. Those damn annoying fatherly instincts, stupid human emotions, were appeased.
Inuyasha hugged the kit tight, shutting his eyes and biting his lower lip. He listened, chest lifting in elation by Shippo's ecstatic laughing, mixed cries, and shouting of, "Papa! Papa! It's you, it's you! It's really you! Papa, I've missed you so much!"
The hanyou coughed, glanced at the wide eyed Sango and Kaede, the little smile hovering on Miroku's lips, and turned away, his white hair falling down around his shoulders, blocking their images. He fumbled into his Indian styled sitting, that felt good to do, and kept holding his boy.
Inuyasha never said a word.
Didn't expect he could.
And that was kind of funny, hadn't he wished he could speak all those horrible nights when he was a dog?
Of course, he was always bad with words.
Inuyasha sighed and stroked Shippo's hair.
I guess…
Silence was the best policy.
After a few moments, after Shippo's breathing started to go back to normal, Inuyasha stood up and started to walk over to Miroku. He head was bowed and his body already felt emotionally drained.
But there was still Kagome…
He stopped walking and felt a sudden warm load on his shoulder; Inuyasha cocked his head to the side and grinned. "Hi Kirara, where had you gotten off to?" he rasped.
The neko mewed and licked his cheek, rubbing her soft head along his neck. You were a tad busy. I didn't want to get involved.
Having grown so accustomed to speaking with Kirara over the past weeks, he smirked and said, "You were just chicken."
Then it hit him…
He could still speak to Kirara. Inuyasha's eyes widened and wakefulness swept back into his body as he whipped his head to look at the cat. "Hey I just…"
Don't you have someone to go find?
Inuyasha blinked several times and then decided to push it away. Could have been a gift, or a side affect, maybe that little pup's little instincts and skills were still in him, but this wasn't important now. The cat was right.
But he could admit it; it was nice to still be able to converse with Kirara.
"Papa? Who are you talking to?"
Inuyasha shook his head and gruffly said, "Don't worry about it." And he dropped the kit into Miroku's arms.
Shippo emitted a tiny shriek and scuttled around, trying to gain footing to jump back to Inuyasha. "Hey, w-wait!"
Inuyasha shot him a look and the kit immediately froze. The hanyou's features softened, "Stay here, 'kay? I'll be back." He waited a beat and added, "Really."
Shippo searched his face and finally nodded. "Okay."
"Be gentle, Inuyasha. Kagome's had it the hardest." Miroku said.
Inuyasha nodded, eyes glazing over, "I know." He turned but once again…someone stopped him.
"Yasha…"
"Child…"
Sango and Kaede spoke at the same time. There was still so much that needed to be explained. They had strange lives, but this was a little more than anyone could handle. But apparently the father-son moment had broken a bit of theirs doubts.
Still…
If Inuyasha left…
They would build up again. Their minds would have time to come up with another reasonable explanation, in order to protect themselves if…this wasn't what it seemed.
But he didn't have time. At this very moment Kagome could…
"Kill me!"
Inuyasha shook his head. "I'll be back." Their mouths closed. Their hands were still trembling. The look in their eyes weren't gone yet, but merely hidden behind a cloud of confusion. But he didn't have time. "Miroku?"
"Yes?"
The hanyou's insides were twisting with tension and energy. He had to get going. "Just…don't let Sango have the sword okay?"
The monk stared at him in shock.
Did he just…
He just made a joke.
His lips twisted up and his eyes watered…
Miroku burst out laughing.
And out of nowhere, wrapped that blasted hanyou in a one armed savage hug.
Inuyasha went ram rod straight. "Oi, what the—" Miroku was still laughing and he didn't notice the choking Shippo struggling to get freed. "Le'go!"
The monk patted the hanyou's back and did just that, wiping his streaming face. "Okay, I'm sorry, I just….oh hell, get out of here!" He chuckled and pushed Inuyasha's shoulder.
The hanyou kept up his appearance of agitation and then finally allowed the smile to break free.
After that something extraordinary happened.
Inuyasha laughed.
He ran off to the direction of the forest before seeing his pack's astounded faces.
Once the hanyou had disappeared beyond the trees, Sango and Kaede turned to Miroku. Shippo was on the man's shoulders, hugging Kirara and grinning like a fool.
"Miroku…Yasha he…when he…did he really…?"
The monk turned and Sango's heart felt full and heavy, seeing such full blown happiness on Miroku's face. Something she had yearned to see for so long. And there was that old twinkle in his eyes again too. Suddenly Miroku leaned forward and kissed Sango lightly on the lips. Her eyes widened and she pushed against his chest, "H-hey, why did you--?"
"He kept his promise Sango."
She stared at him and soon…
By those whispered words…
The taijiya started to cry.
Why did she cry so much?
Shouldn't she be dry? Shouldn't she be empty of all emotion now?
Why did she have to be so emotional? She couldn't even count the number of times she had cried, most of them being Inuyasha's fault.
Inuyasha…
That one word and it all rushed back at her. Kagome's insides went cold and rigid, her heart started to pound harsh against her ribs, and the world started to tilt and blur.
"Stop…not again. Calm down, old girl. You're okay. It was just…" she sniffed. "It was just a dream. You fell asleep or got a bonk on the head. You didn't see Yasha being pulled up into the air like on those alien movies and seeing…"
Kagome yelped and held her head, pulling in her knees against her chest.
No, no, no. That didn't happen. I bet Yasha is just fine. He's with Miroku and Sango and…they're probably playing. Yeah, playing fetch or something.
But Naraku…
You were fighting Naraku. Sesshomaru had been there, he had been carrying Yasha. And he was sick, Yasha was sick. Then Naraku came…Yasha jumped down and…and he started to glow…
"No, it didn't happen! I'm just losing my mind that's all, that's all." Kagome laughed a hysterical little chuckle. "Y-yeah, just going crazy, a normal day, my love is dead, my puppy got beamed up onto a space ship…and I'm…I'm going to sit here and keep telling myself that it didn't happen."
It was Naraku…and if it was…he's probably killing Sango, Kaede and everyone right now!
Terror exploded and the girl jumped to her feet, swallowing a scream.
He's probably killing Shippo right now!
"No! What am I doing here? I have to get back, I have to protect…I won't let that bastard kill any more of my loved ones!" Kagome grabbed her bow and cluster of arrows, swinging them on her back, picking up her feet to run. Her tears started to dry as determination bubbled and she forcibly pushed back at her insanity, of those thoughts and images.
I'm not going to let Naraku…
A blur fell from the trees and landed in front of her, forcing her to slide to a stop. The world seemed to rock and boom and Kagome's eyes widened, her grip loosened, arrows and her bow clattered to the grass.
"No!"
Inuyasha stood there, his older brother's outer kimono hanging down to his knees, flapping in the wind, and his arms were crossed, his expression hard and indomitable. She fell to her knees.
"No…"
Something flickered in his—perfect…awful!—eyes but they quickly were buried under that glare. He took a step forward. She crawled frantically back.
"Stop." He commanded and Kagome's muscles went solid.
No, move, move, it's Naraku, he's already killed your family and now he's going to kill you! Move, girl, MOVE! What are you doing?
But she couldn't. The miko could only sit there, her legs scraped and bloody, her clothes ripped and covered in dirt. She sat there, trembling like some cornered, clipped bird waiting for the wolf to pounce and snap its jaws.
Inuyasha didn't pounce. He stood, staring down at her with that stony face and minutes clicked by.
Slowly, her mind whispered as Kagome's eyes flicked unwillingly across the hanyou's body: He…he has two arms. And his chest is healed…it's smooth and flat…he has two eyes…his hair is thick and full. It couldn't be him. He's just like before…it's not him…
"Kagome."
That ruff tone filled her with warmth, almost burying the fear it also brought, and Kagome's eyes went back to his. She was no longer in control of her own body.
She was going to die.
But she had prayed for that, screamed and begged it to the heavens…hadn't she?
"Kagome…I'm not going to let you run anymore."
Like she could, her legs had turned into jelly, weak and brittle as rotten branches. Kagome licked her lips and sniffed.
The harsh contours of his glare began to melt away and Inuyasha took another step forward. Kagome flinched and he stopped. But she hadn't run that was a good sign. A little bit of fear was still there though, fear and doubt and sorrow. That had to go.
Be gentle…
"I'm not going to let you push me away."
Another step.
"S-stop…" she whimpered. Kagome's chocolate brown eyes glistened. "Don't come any closer…"
Inuyasha refused her request. "I'm going to make you stop crying…dammit. You've cried too much."
She looked up at his tall, straight form. "Y-you…it can't be you…I've gone insane…y-you're…"
"Don't say it." Kagome's lips were left parted. "I'm not Naraku. You saw me destroy that puppet. You saw me transform."
"Y-Yasha…" Kagome shook her head. "No…he's…"
"That was me."
He was too close! Kagome jumped up, adrenaline pitching, "NO!" She tried to turn but Inuyasha's hand whipped out and grabbed her wrist.
"I'm not going to let you run away, Kagome! Stop struggling!" Inuyasha pulled her sharp and quick. A small yip of pain left her lips but she didn't stop struggling, she kept pushing and pulling, punching his chest.
"Let me go, damn you! Let me go!"
"I'm not going to let you push me away! Kagome…" She continued in her fighting and the hanyou growled. "Stop i—"
Kagome slapped him across the face, a stinging sound that echoed across the trees.
His voice died and both their bodies froze. Slowly, a rugged red hue began to seep out on Inuyasha's cheek.
Kagome bit her lip. Oh no…
He twisted his head back around and his eyes were glittering with anger. "You damn wench, what did you do that for?"
The miko tried her best to keep her tone icy and strong, "I told you to let me go, it was your own fault!"
Inuyasha shook her wrist once and her brisk mask crumbled, the fear was back. Dammit, be gentle. Remember? But he couldn't stop his tongue from spouting out, "I didn't do anything to you!"
"You call this doing n-nothing?" Kagome winced by that pathetic crack in her voice. Be strong. Fight him! Its Naraku remember it has to be? "I-if you don't let go…I swear I'll kick you."
He felt a small stroke of pride by the girl's spirited threat. Inuyasha could feel a smirk coming on, "Oh yeah…I dare ya."
Kagome frowned and shouted, "Fine!" And she swung up her knee. Inuyasha, seeing where that knee was planning on connecting, immediately released her and hopped back a foot.
"HEY!"
The woman ran.
The hanyou growled.
"Oh no you don't!"
And he leaped, colliding on top of her, causing them to tumble, and become a rolling ball of kicking legs and punching arms. Kagome yelled and grunted as Inuyasha finally made it on top of her, pinning her hands down above her head.
"You sneaky little bitch." Inuyasha panted.
Kagome glared and twisted, "Get off of me!"
"NO!"
His bark froze her.
Inuyasha tried to ignore the silky warmth of her body beneath him. He tossed his head from side to side. This was not the time for that!
"You're going to listen to me, got it?"
But his planned words whisked out like a breeze when tears gathered in Kagome's eyes. Her bravado had died. And his defenses too.
"H-hey, now, don't cry…"
Kagome shut her eyes and moved her head, catching a whiff of his smell. Dammit! His scent was the same. And his appearance and his attitude. She could feel a flush springing out along the bridge of her nose by his close proximity.
NO!
She hated herself by her reaction.
This was Naraku. Their enemy, the bastard who had killed her true love. And now he was trying to seduce her, lull her into some false sense of security and then kill her!
She couldn't let him win.
But she knew she was weakening.
"N-Naraku…please…stop this…" Kagome hiccupped. "I know it's you, stop doing this!"
She gasped when Inuyasha lifted her upper body and slammed her back down. Her eyes popped open and her breath hitched by his rage. "I AM NOT NARAKU!"
Kagome's eardrums filled and pounded with pain by his shout.
"For the last time! I'm Yasha! O-or, I mean, I'm Inuyasha. I'm me! I was the dog. I was granted life again, got it? I'm not Naraku!" He was left fighting for breath and there was now pleading in his—perfect—amber orbs.
"What?"
Inuyasha lowered his head and sighed. His frost white bangs concealed half his face and he suddenly released her, standing up. Kagome sucked in a deep breath by the weight being lifted off of her. Another heart beat and she was quickly coming to her feet.
"What did you say?"
He cracked his knuckles. "Dammit, Kagome. This wasn't what I wanted. I didn't mean to yell at you or…I mean…"
Kagome licked her lips again. "What did you say? About Yasha…about…"
He then lifted his chin and her heart skipped a beat.
"I told you I would somehow always be with you. Remember? I said I would somehow always protect you…I promised."
Tears fell and Kagome annoyingly brushed them away. "It can't be…"
Inuyasha rushed on. "I wasn't meant to die, you know."
"What?"
"I wasn't supposed to die, that's what they told me. I was supposed to survive from Naraku's attack and end up destroying him. That's my destiny. But they didn't expect the enormous energy he created and my body was damaged beyond repair, so I had to die! But they said I could come back, but since you guys burned by body, a new one had to be created. And since you guys also needed me so much, they told me I had to borrow another body and wait until my new one was ready! And that's why I was the dog! But just now, when you saw Yasha transform, that was because my body was ready and I didn't have to be the puppy anymore and…"
Inuyasha gasped when she placed a finger on his lips. His eyes rushed to meet hers. Kagome was crying again. "I…this can't be real…you know? I mean…your story is so ridiculous…"
"But it's true, dammit! Remember, you found me at my funeral! And there was that demon attack where it stabbed me and…" Inuyasha desperately fought for words, irritation rising. Why couldn't he ever say the right thing? She probably still though he was Naraku or she was going insane, either one!
"I can't take the pain…"
"Give me salvation…"
"Kill me…"
"I WANT TO DIE!"
"This can't be true. I saw you die…I s-saw them bury you…" Her smile had fallen and it was almost like his hopes were dying one by one as her tears grew.
"Didn't you hear me? You have to believe me!"
She took back her hand and hugged herself. "I…I can't believe you. I have to be dreaming. I want to believe it. More than anything! But…" She shuddered back a sob. "I just can't."
"I'll prove it!" Kagome jumped and looked at him.
Inuyasha was practically hopping by the idea. It had worked for Shippo; he could surely prove it to Kagome!
"H-how…how could you possibly…"
The hanyou bit his cheek, contemplating and searching, but his heart started to fall as only a headache grew instead of an idea. Kagome could see it and she clasped her hands together, "You…c-can't think of one can you?"
Suddenly, right then and there, it struck him and Inuyasha nodded frenetically. "No, no, I got it!" He smiled in relief and whispered, "I got it…"
One of Kagome's brows rose and hope flared to life. "You do…wh-what is it?"
Inuyasha lifted a corner of his lips and pointed up. Kagome blinked and tilted her head to look at where he was pointing but she didn't see anything. She shook her head. Inuyasha frowned and pushed her shoulder a half circle and pointed again.
Kagome narrowed her eyes and closed one to better see at what the heck Inuyasha's finger must be pointing to. But all she could see was…
"The moon…"
"You nagged me for days on end, begging and finally sitting me just to know why the hell I stared at the moon every night. Do you remember that?"
Kagome hiccupped and nodded.
"And when I finally surrendered…what did I tell you?"
The words came like a pledge, a pledge straight from the soul.
"Be-because it never changes…I mean…it does change shape but it never leaves," Kagome covered her face and she felt her hanyou's warm breath steam on her forehead as he slowly coiled his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest and his heartbeat filled her thoughts. "It always comes back…n-no matter what…"
Inuyasha smiled and breathed in her scent. "I like that."
It was true.
No one knew about that. Not even Naraku…because…that had happened in her time.
He never could have found out.
And that meant…
Her prayers had been answered.
Kagome cried and Inuyasha never let her go.
Like before, he didn't say a thing.
It had worked.
Inuyasha expected to have to stand there for a few minutes longer but unexpectedly, Kagome twisted and lifted her arms. "Kagome…?"
She grinned, face streaked and flushed, and cupped his face, "I…I waited for you…"
Inuyasha raised a brow but before he could answer…
Kagome covered his stunned mouth with her own.
Her fingers coiled into his hair, tickling along his scalp and pulling him closer, and all Inuyasha could do was let her guide him.
His eyes closed and he drowned in her taste and feel and scent.
And he finally snapped awake and reacted.
Kagome and Inuyasha kissed and held one another like at any moment the other would be ripped away.
But soon oxygen was required and Kagome's head was lying under the hanyou's chin. She closed her eyes and snuggled closer.
"You really…do keep your promises don't you?"
Inuyasha smiled by her sleepy tone. He as well, was completely drained and sleepy. He tightened his arms. "Of course, without me you'd probably get eaten."
Kagome chuckled. "Don't make me say the 's' word."
"I didn't do anything."
"Oh yeah? Well if you were Yasha…what about the hot spring?"
Inuyasha stiffened and his face grew bright red. "Hey, wait, I tried to…I mean…"
Kagome laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound the hanyou had ever heard. He relaxed and she leaned up and kissed him again with tender love. Right as his eyes started to close, her hands trailed up and a weight was lifted off his shoulders.
The tinkling of beads made him start and he stared at his love in surprise and the rosary dangling in her fingers. "You don't need these anymore."
"B-but…wait…what if I…turn full demon or…" what was he saying? No more sit commands! But still…
Her blood on his hands.
Kagome smiled. "Don't worry. I have a new power of subjugation."
Inuyasha frowned, "Oh yeah? And what the hell is that?"
"This."
And she drowned him again.
Vaguely Inuyasha could practically hear his demon side purring. She was right…sneaky wench…and he surrendered to her power.
"I love you Inuyasha…and I'm never going to let you go." Kagome mumbled against his lips.
Inuyasha grunted, "I'm not stopping you." He smiled.
"And I love you too."
:smiles huge:
I promise to all of you now! I WILL FIGHT AGAINST THIS WRITER'S BLOCK!
It's coming! The epilogue is coming! Please don't desert me now!
I've put you through so much, my blessed readers, and I thank you...
...but just a little longer!
Then it will be done!
:sniff:
YAY!