Chapter 6
Kagome sighed as she looked at her calendar. Only a week left until my birthday- the anniversary of when I met Inuyasha. It's been two years since that fateful day, and we still haven't found Naraku... I hope... I hope Inuyasha is okay. I hope Kikyo's treating him with love and respect.
"Kagoooome! Honey! Come downstairs! We've got to plan your party!" her mother called in a sweet voice. Kagome sighed. She didn't care if this was her 17th birthday... it just reminded her of how far away Inuyasha was from her grasp.
"I don't want a party mom!" Kagome called downstairs to her mother. Her mother frowned and came upstairs into Kagome's bedroom and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Kagome, you've got to snap out of this. You can't keep going on like this." she said calmly. I was right, she won't get over him...
"Mom... my birthday is the anniversary of when I met Inuyasha." Kagome said, crying. "Mom it's been 4 weeks since I left him- almost a month- and I still can't forget... I can't stop feeling this way!" she cried. Her mother gave her a hug, trying to reassure her.
"Honey, I know how you feel. When I lost your father, it took me a long time to feel whole again. He was my other half- but you know what? I'm okay now. It took a long time to heal my heart, but it's mended now. I know you'll mend too, Kagome. Who knows? Maybe you'll meet some handsome man here, and he'll love you so much, and you'll fall in love with him!" he mother said reassuringly. Kagome laughed.
"Somehow I can't picture that, mom. Everytime the word love is said I see his face... I can't forget all those times he saved my life; all those times he protected me. He even risked his life in his human form for me!" Kagome sobbed. "I... I just want to be alone for a bit, mom." Her mother nodded.
"Alright, sweety. Call me if you need anything, okay?" Kagome sighed as her mother exited her room. She got up and strode over to her CD player. Hmm. I'll listen to the radio. She pressed the FM button and sat on her bed, listening to the music coming out of her speakers. As soon as the lyrics began, she sat in awe- they almost spoke directly to her soul. It was exactly how she felt.
Cannot touch. Cannot hold.
Cannot be together.
Cannot love. Cannot kiss.
Cannot have each other.
Kagome cried and cried. She could never hold Inuyasha. There was no way for them to be together. They couldn't love- she couldn't have him- Kikyo did.
Must be strong. And we must let go.
Cannot say what our hearts must know.
How can I not love you?
What do I tell my heart?
When do I not want you here in my arms?
How does one waltz away from all of the memories?
How do I not miss you when you are gone?
How could she not love him? He'd protected her, cared for her. He'd risked his life for her and she'd risked her life for him. She couldn't simply erase those memories.
Cannot dream. Cannot share,
Sweet and tender moments.
Cannot feel how we feel.
Must pretend it's over.
She had to pretend she felt nothing. She didn't want him to feel guilty for her unhappiness.
Must be brave. And we must go on.
Must not say what we've known all along.
How can I not love you?
What do I tell my heart?
When do I not want you here in my arms?
How does one waltz away from all of the memories?
How do I not miss you when you are gone?
How can I not love you?
Must be brave. And we must be strong.
Cannot say what we've known all along.
How can I not love you?
What do I tell my heart?
When do I not want you here in my arms?
How does one waltz away from all of the memories?
How do I not miss you when you are gone?
How can I not love you?
When you are gone?
When the song ended, so did Kagome's tears. So what if I love him? It's not going to go away overnight. I can't tell my heart how to feel- i'd be lying to myself. I can't simply waltz away from those memories- they're a part of who I am. I won't ever forget Inuyasha- he'll always hold a special place in my heart that noone can take away from me. A place in my heart that will never hold anyone else- only Inuyasha, forever. Kagome sighed. Maybe... just maybe I can get through this...
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"I can smell him! We're on the right track!" Inuyasha cried. He knew Naraku's disgusting smell. It made his blood boil with anger, and for an instant Inuyasha's eyes flashed red. I can't transform- Kikyo... I don't know what she'd do- and I don't think she'd be able to transform me back like Kagome can. Inuyasha snarled as he repressed his youkai deep within him.
"Shall we get this over with, Inuyasha?" Kikyo said blatantly. Inuyasha nodded.
"For the sake of everyone who's been hurt by his trickery and games." he growled. Kikyo sighed.
"Inuyasha, you make it sound as if the fight will be hard."
"It will be. I've fought him before. He's a strong, cunning demon- and he rid himself of his weakness- you. He abandoned his heart- the part that held you above all else- he won't hold back, Kikyo. Not even for you." Inuyasha said, hoping to warn her of the immenent dangers that lay ahead.
"I know, Inuyasha. That's good- he won't be distracted. It will be a fair fight on both sides." she breathed. They saw ahead of them his fortress, shrouded in miasma and protected by a barrier. Once they reached the edge of the barrier, Inuyasha pulled out his Tetsaiga, which blazed red. Kikyo placed a hand in front of him.
"We don't want to cause a commotion, Inuyasha. Let me do my job." she practically snarled. She used her miko powers to create a hole in the barrier large enough for the two to enter. Once inside, the hole closed back over, trapping the them inside. Kikyo walked straight through to the fortress with Inuyasha following behind. There, standing just outside of the doors, was Naraku. he smirked.
"Oi, Kikyo. You've come to exact your revenge on me, have you not? Ah, and the infamous half-breed. I see you two are on good terms despite my little trick fifty years ago." Naraku said slyly.
"We have come for the jewel, nothing else- not revenge. We are not on any terms, Naraku. We are travelling with a similar goal- killing you." Kikyo replied flatly. Inuyasha looked at her. Naraku noticed this and laughed.
"Oh, now this is amusing! You think Kikyo still loves you?" Naraku cackled.
"You shut up! We do love each other!" Inuyasha spat. Kikyo looked over to Inuyasha, then back at Naraku. Naraku knew what Kikyo was thinking.
"My sweet Kikyo, you do seek revenge, but not against me- not even against Inuyasha. Someone else. Someone you want dead. Someone in the way, correct?" he teased. Kikyo stood still.
"And what of it, Naraku?" Kikyo spat. Inuyasha looked confused.
"What?" he asked Kikyo. He looked over to Naraku, waiting for him to continue.
"No no no! I can't spill this to you, Inuyasha. I wouldn't want you too emotional for our fight." Naraku turned back to Kikyo. "I shall help you exact your revenge, Kikyo. On one condition- you work for me." Inuyasha's eyes widened with rage.
"Listen here, you freak! Kikyo would never join forces wi-" he started to yell before being cut off by Kikyo.
"Stop, Inuyasha." She looked at Naraku. "Fine. So long as you keep your promise." She walked towards Naraku and stood beside him.
"First, Kikyo- kill the mutt." Naraku snarled. Kikyo hauled an arrow from her quiver and aimed at Inuyasha with her bow.
"Kikyo! No! You can't... I... no..." Inuyasha fell to his knees. He looked back up at Kikyo, but only saw Kagome standing there, poised to shoot him. Kagome? His vision was blurry, but he was sure it was Kagome. Why am I seeing her now?
"Inuyasha, don't be afraid. It's okay to show your emotions, you know? Just be yourself. I like it when you're just you." Kagome's voice echoed in his head. He remembered that conversation- they had it about a month before she left. His vision blurred, and Kagome was no longer seen- it was Kikyo again. Inuyasha sighed. Why did I hallucinate about Kagome? Why... why do I feel so sad and broken...
Without warning, an arrow fired. Inuyasha could hear the spiritual arrow gain it's full power as it sailed through the air, piercing its target.