Ok. So here we are... Didnt change much in this chapter either.
Still hating the chapter title, suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy
Chapter 2 - Misunderstanding
--Feudal Japan--
At the same time Inuyasha sat in a hut in Lady Kaede's village, wondering what had happened.
Where is Kagome? Inuyasha wondered. He couldn't remember a thing. The last thing he remembered was being with Kikyo…
"Inuyasha…" Kikyo held the hanyou's hands. "I've made my decision."
"What do you mean!" Inuyasha asked, his heart beginning to beat faster.
"I am no longer needed In this world. Now that Naraku has been destroyed I am free."
Inuyasha looked down at her and said, "So? Am I not a reason for you to stay here?"
Kikyo smiled slightly and shook her head.
"Inuyasha… I still love you. I always will… But we were never destined to be together. I just want you to be happy."
"But I need you…"
"No… You don't need me. You will be fine." She put her arms around him and hugged him. "And you owe me nothing,"
Kikyo had read his mind.
"Kikyo, you died for me! I can't live knowing that! I wont let you leave me a second time!"
"Inuyasha…" The miko began, her head resting on his chest, "You owe me nothing. Death is but another chapter in one's life. Do not feel remorse in what happened. We were only pawns in Naraku's scheme. If I have one last request, it is that you do not feel despair over my death all those years ago. I beg you to live on…"
"Kikyo please!" He cried, holding onto her tighter. "Don't leave me!"
"I must. I've realized my mistakes and I can live no longer on the souls of others. Naraku is dead and so my is destiny fulfilled. It is time for me to leave."
She looked deeply into his eyes and kissed him gently on the lips.
"Just be happy. Do not feel guilty for what happened fifty years ago. It was not your fault and I do not blame you in not wanting to join me in the after-world just yet. You have friends here. Many." She reached up and gently caressed his cheek.
"You have changed. You've become softer. I can see it in your eyes. Kagome has done something I was never able nor will ever be able to do. She has taught you how to trust. And to love. I bid you farewell. Remember, I'll always love you."
And with that she slipped from his arms and turned away. She wandered off into the woods. But before she was out of sight, she turned to look at him and smiled. She whispered, "Live on…"
Then she disappeared.
He ran after her, but found nothing and no one.
"Why did you have to do this, Kikyo!" He exclaimed. He pounded a nearby tree with his fist. In a much softer tone he whispered, "This isn't what I wanted."
But then, a very rare thing happened. His conscience got the better of him.
This is what you wanted, isn't it? It demanded of him. You just wanted Kikyo to rest in peace.
"She gave her life for me! How can I live knowing that!" He cried.
She said it herself. Don't feel guilty over what happened! It was Naraku's fault… Now that he's dead she can rest in peace knowing you'll be safe… And happy.
Inuyasha stared at the ground, feeling a stabbing pain in his heart.
Is this how Kagome felt whenever I went to Kikyo? He asked himself.
Yes. His conscience answered.
Inuyasha was overwhelmed with feelings of remorse and sadness for all the things that had happened. He was no longer in a stable state of mind.
And he got a sudden urge.
An urge…
To kill.
But he realized what was happening to late. He was turning full youkai. He had allowed his emotions to get the better of him and they had caused him to turn into this… This monster. He tried to force himself to grab Tetsusaiga, but when he gained enough strength to reach for it…
It wasn't there.
It was at this point his sensible self had blacked out.
After that he had woken up in the middle of a forest with Tetsusaiga by his side. He had questioned Miroku and Sango about what had happened but both refused to talk. And to add to all the mystery, Kagome was gone.
What had he done while he was full demon?
He sighed and whispered, "Where are you Kagome?"
He knew something was really wrong this time. Maybe she had seen him with Kikyo.
"Oh no…" He shook his head and cursed his stupidity. I should have thought of that! Kagome must have saw them together again and misunderstood.
After all, he had told Kagome that he had chosen Kikyo. But even Kikyo had told him it was never meant to be. He had to respect Kikyo's wish. So his mind was made up.
He wanted to be with Kagome.
Both Sango and Miroku had seemed wary around him after the afternoon. Both had kept their distances and avoided making eye contact.
What had he done?
Miroku, who had been feigning sleep, casually sat up, pretending he had just woken up... Even though it was still night.
He realized that he had to tell Inuyasha what had happened. The hanyou was going crazy not knowing what had happened.
And as long as Inuyasha had Tetsusaiga, everyone was safe.
"Inuyasha." He said,. "Do you really want to know? What happened, I mean."
Inuyasha looked over at Miroku with one eye, glaring. "Of course, you idiot. I've been asking all night, haven't I?"
"You went full demon again." he replied, ignoring Inuyasha's insult.
"I know…"
"Oh?" Miroku asked. But I thought he didn't remember…
"It was right after Kikyo left…" He mumbled. Then he noticed Miroku's disapproving stare. "Stupid letch. It wasn't anything like that…Not that you could scold me even if something did happen."
"So something did happen? Oh dear, dear. Kagome-sama is going to be quite angry…" He teased and then he added under his breath, "Honestly, if you would just tell her how you really felt it would do us all a great favour."
"Shut up! Nothing happened, idiot!" He said, ignoring the monk's second comment.
"Well than… what did you do?" Miroku began to grin, despite the seriousness of the matter.
"That isn't any of your business! Just tell me what happened and where Kagome is." Inuyasha demanded.
"Well I certainly wont tell you if you don't tell me." Miroku smiled, evilly.
Inuyasha sighed and relented.
"If you really want to know… Kikyo was… She was saying goodbye." Inuyasha looked away, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have asked…" Miroku's grin faded away to be replaced by a look of great sympathy.
"Inuyasha, are you alright?" Sango said, sitting up. She, too had been faking sleep the entire time.
Inuyasha looked over at her, a bit surprised to see her talking to him. She had been avoiding him all day and giving him looks of disgust.
"It's what Kikyo wanted… She thought it was best." He retold most of what happened, withdrawing certain details.
"Inuyasha… I'm so sorry." Sango apologized. She felt extremely bad for treating Inuyasha as she had during the day. If only she had known… maybe some of this could have been avoided.
An awkward silence hung in the air. The quiet and rhythmic breathing of Shippo and Kirara was all that could be heard.
"W-Where is Kagome?" Inuyasha finally asked.
Sango and Miroku exchanged worried glances.
"She… She went home." Sango stated.
"Why? She should have told me…" Inuyasha looked questioningly at the taijiya. Then something seemed to click in Inuyasha's brain. "D-Did something happen while I was demon…?"
Sango swallowed and looked sympathetically at Inuyasha.
And in one short sentence she explained it all.
"You attacked Kagome…"
She hurriedly explained the rest of the details.
Inuyasha's world began to move in slow motion.
"No… No… I couldn't have… I wouldn't…" He stood, his arms crossed. His face was distraught with worry. No! NO! How could this have happened?
"Inuyasha… Kagome's ok…" I think, Sango added to herself.
"Miroku… Sango, I'm sorry about whatever I did. But I have to go find her." He hurried to the door. Under his breath, barely audible, he mumbled, "I promised her I would never transform again… I love her… " He rushed out of the hut, Sango anxiously calling after him.
But just like Kagome, he too, was gone.
--Present Japan--
The bell rang as Kagome stepped into the classroom. She quickly took her seat and opened her books. Everything seemed surreal. She was actually back at school. She was ready to sit down and get some studying done. She still had entrance exams to worry about. And with nothing to interfere with her studies she was…
I wonder if Inuyasha is ok…
Shocked with herself, she shook her head to rid herself of the thought. Her life in the feudal era was over! Over! Inuyasha had kindly ended their… well… relationship… himself. She should not be feeling sympathy for him.
And it wasn't as if they ever had a relationship anyway!
As much as she willed herself to thing about something else, anything else, her thoughts always drifted back to him…
This is what I wanted! She told herself, sternly.
"Ohayo Kagome-chan!" Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi said in unison, pulling her back into the real world
"Ohayo." Kagome said, a touch of sadness in her voice. She immediately tried to cover it up by smiling at her friends.
But Yuka had noticed the tone of Kagome's voice and, with a slight grin, asked, "Kagome-chan, is there something wrong? Is it your two-timing, no good, violent, selfish boyfriend again?"
"Well yeah, I guess you could say that." Kagome replied, smiling sadly.
The teacher walked into the classroom, preventing her friends from asking anymore questions. The class immediately went silent.
"Higurashi," he said. "Nice of you to join us finally." A few people around the room snickered receiving a glare from the teacher.
"Hai, sensei." She replied.
Turning back to face the class, the teacher began his lesson.
"As you may remember, last class I informed you that we would be studying Japanese legends and fairy tales. For today's lesson, we will be discussing the legend of Shikon no Tama."
Kagome looked up in surprise. She gasped. It had been so long since she had been to school. She'd forgotten first period was history. How could she have been so stupid?
Her hand shot to her chest and she fiddled with the necklace, making sure it was properly hidden. Not that anyone would believe her if she said she was the protector of the sacred jewel.
"Excuse me, Higurashi, is there a problem?" He asked, noticing her nervous and anxious demeanour.
"May I be excused for a moment, sensei?"
"Eh…? Iie… Class just started a few minutes ago. You had plenty of time before." He stared, daring her to challenge his authority.
"Gomen nasai… I really have to go…" She bit her lip, inside she was screaming. What am I doing? Disobeying a teacher will be just great on my evaluation card!
Despite her worries, she grabbed her bag and tore from the room. She couldn't handle this yet. It was too early. She wasn't ready to hear the history of the cursed jewel that had destroyed her life. Not that she didn't know it already. She had created part of that history.
She ran to the closest washroom and dashed to the sink, dropping her bag beside her. She turned the knobs and water came pouring out. She cupped it in her hands and gently splashed it on her face.
Looking up into the mirror, she shrieked in fright.
She was staring into the blood red eyes of Inuyasha's youkai form.
"Why?" She cried, collapsing to the ground. Tears streamed down her face. Her mind was playing tricks on her. Why did that memory have to haunt her the way it did? Wasn't it enough with the pain she had already suffered!
"Kagome-chan, who are you talking to?" asked Yuka as she walked into the bathroom.
Kagome looked from the mirror, which was now clear, to Yuka and back again. She held her face in her hands, her body shaking from nerves.
Yuka rushed over to her. She had never seen Kagome like this. Even on those rare occasions where something would go wrong, Kagome had always stayed positive and smiled.
Yuka knelt down and hugged her friend. She pulled Kagome up and looked her in the eye. "What's wrong, Kagome-chan?"
Through the tears, Kagome managed to say, "N-Nothing."
"Kagome-chan..." Yuka pressed on.
"I don't really want to talk about it." she mumbled.
"Kagome-chan, don't play those games. I'm your best friend. I know that something really important is bothering you. Please, let me help."
"Uh.. Ok." Kagome sighed, looking at her friend. "Come I'll go grab my stuff from the classroom. I think I need to go home… now."
"Sure.. I'll walk you home. I'll skip class."
Kagome straightened her uniform and brushed the tears from her eyes. She smiled appreciatively. Yuka was such a good friend.
Yuka held her hand comfortingly and they walked back to class. Kagome looked at her friend as they walked into the classroom.
Kagome and Yuka walked up to the teacher's desk.
"Sensei?" Kagome asked, trembling from her breakdown.
"Yes, what is it?" He replied.
"Um.. May Yuka-chan and I be excused?"
"Excused for what?"
Yuka glanced at Kagome, giving her a worried look.
"Private family matters, sir." Kagome lied.
"Well after you've already disrupted the class twice, I see no point in you staying. You wont be able to learn anything." He sighed and shooed them out.
Yuka rushed to her seat and grabbed her bag. Eri and Ayumi gave them inquiring looks, but the two girls darted to the door and were out of school.
"So spill Kagome-chan, what is wrong?" Yuka asked.
What am I supposed to say? Kagome wondered. What harm could it do if I told Yuka…I can depend on her to keep a secret. Besides, I need to get this off my chest.
"Well… I guess it all really started in the well house." Kagome began, with newfound confidence. This is what I need to do! She told herself.
"In the well house? But what could a well have to do with you being sad?"
"Yes, let me explain."
"Gomen." Yuka apologized.
"It's ok. Well you know 3 years ago.. On my fifteen birthday?"
"Yeah.. The day you were sick.. And we had that surprise party ready and everything. And then you didn't come!" Yuka whined.
Kagome giggled
"I did have a valid reason you know! The reason I didn't come…Well that morning I saw Souta standing outside the well house…"
Kagome began to explain about how she fell down the well and was transported to the past. She told her friend about the Shikon no Tama and Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo, and Sango. When she had finished Yuka was speechless, for once.
"But why was Inu… Inuyasha…Why was he trying to kill you?"
"Well… When I was attacked by the centipede demon, a jewel came out from a cut in my side. It was the Shikon no Tama. It can grant wishes and make demons stronger. So, naturally he wanted it, as he's a half demon."
"Oh yeah, I remember the Shikon no Tama. That's what we were going to study in history today!" Yuka thought for a moment and then asked, "Is that the reason that why you left so suddenly?"
Kagome nodded, her cheeks flushing a light rose colour as she remembered her actions.
"Well, anyway, its all true." She continued. "All those times my jii-chan came up freak sicknesses, I was really going to feudal Japan to collect shards." Kagome then grabbed the string around her neck and pulled it out from under her shirt.
Yuka gasped and Kagome giggled .
"Is.. Is that the real Shikon no Tama?"
"Yep." Kagome said looking down blissfully at the jewel that had caused so much suffering. "And I am supposed to protect this thing and purify it." She tucked it safely under her blouse.
"So what are you going to do with the jewel, now that it's completed?" Yuka asked.
By this time they had arrived at Kagome's house. Kagome asked Yuka if she wanted to come in, seeing as school was still on. Yuka accepted and they walked in, past Kagome's grandfather, who was muttering something about demons trying to murder him in his sleep. Kagome's mother was out and Souta was at school. When they got to Kagome's room, Kagome shut the door and they sat down on the bed.
She felt much better, now that she had someone who believed her. Someone she could talk to, other than her family.
"You never answered my question though… what are you going to do with the jewel?"
"I… Don't know… " Kagome said.
She had not yet told Yuka about how she really felt about Inuyasha. Feeling as though she owed her friend the whole truth she said, "Yuka there's something I have to tell you... There's another part to my story. I am actually the reincarnation of a miko named Kikyo."
"You're a what! You're a reincarnate of a miko. But that must mean that you have priestess powers too, right?"
"Exactly… that's why I am the protector of the jewel.
"When Kikyo died, she was burned with the jewel. And the jewel somehow ended up inside of me. But there's a catch. Kikyo was Inuyasha's lover. But somehow, the man we defeated, Naraku," Kagome shuddered at the thought of him.
"Well he mislead Inuyasha into stealing the jewel and killing Kikyo, and Kikyo, before she died, shot Inuyasha with an arrow, sealing him to the tree for fifty years. Then when I came and unsealed Inuyasha, an old witch brought Kikyo back to life, by stealing a part of my soul. Inuyasha was always running to her." Kagome almost started crying again at the thought.
"Kagome-chan? Does this Inuyasha person have any connection at all with that two-timing, no good, violent, selfish boyfriend of yours?" Yuka asked, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
I can't hide it any longer, Kagome thought. I have to tell her the truth.
She nodded shyly.
"Aha! I thought so! Wait a moment… Than he is the one we met a while ago! With the long silver hair and amber eyes… Wow!" said Yuka triumphantly. Then she noticed the depressed look on her friend's face. "Kagome-chan?" On the few occasions she had met this Inuyasha person, she hadn't known who he was at the time, but he had always treated Kagome with kindness. So this look of sadness and anger made her confused.
"It just wasn't right! He was always chasing after her. She was already dead, why couldn't he just get over her. She even tried to take him to hell! Why couldn't she just leave us alone. He knew how I felt. He such an idiot! I hate him so much!" Kagome cried out in anger and hit her pillow.
Yuka jumped back a bit, surprised.
"Kagome, you don't hate him. I can see it in your eyes. You must really love him to keep going back, even after he would run off. Why don't you just go back and tell him how you feel."
"That's not the problem! He already knows." Kagome sobbed. "I cant go back to after what happened."
"Kagome-chan, what? What happened?" Yuka questioned.
And so Kagome told her. She did her best to stay strong and not cry, but the urge was overwhelming.
Yuka took Kagome into a hug and tried to console her.
"Kagome-chan," She soothed "It's going to be ok. Never give up. Keep holding onto the hope. It'll turn out ok in the end." Kagome cried into her friend's shoulder.
"I never wanted it to end this way. I just wanted everyone to be happy."
"I know, I know. Please just trying to keep holding on to the hope." Yuka looked at her watch and realized it was after noon. "I have to get back to school."
"Please. Don't tell anyone. I cant let this get out. Promise?"
"Promise." She gave Kagome one last hug. "Since the break is coming up… I was wondering… Maybe you want to come over, you know, for a party? Eri is throwing one, a Christmas get together."
"Actually, I'm leaving to go to a cabin at the outskirts of Tokyo. You know that one we used to go to as kids? And I'm leaving tonight. My okaa-san arranged it. Sorry." Kagome apologized.
"No it's ok. You need a stress free environment from what I've heard." Yuka glanced at her watch and said, "Well, I'd better get going! Nearly time for second period."
The two girls stood up and walked to the front door. Yuka grabbed her school bag and opened the door.
"Ja Ne! Oh, and you never know, I might just pop in, up at the cabin!" She said, winking at Kagome.
"That would be great! Ja Ne!" Kagome replied, happily.
She watched her friend hurry down the steps and leave the shrine.
Closing the door, Kagome leaned against it, allowing herself to think for a moment. She really did feel better after admitting it to Yuka. The weight on her shoulders had lessened. At least, for now, everything was alright.
Hoped you found it better.
-Kellai-chan-