A/N- Well, here it is. Sorry it was a bit later than I thought it would be up, but I just got a whole load of homework the first day back (aren't my teacher's lovely?). -Sigh- …Anyways, I wrote this chapter over three days, and there are parts in it that I really like, and there are parts that didn't really turn out the way I imagined. Oh well, overall, I'd say it turned out OK. Also, exams are coming up, so I may have less time to write. I'll try to write one more before exams, but after that, it's time for some hard-core studying!
But for now…here it is: Chapter 8!
Dedicated to: All my faithful reviewers- thanks for the support!
The way to love anything
is to realize that it
might be lost.
- G. K. Chesterton
These Hands: Realization (Chapter 8)
Swirls of colour floated daintily though the air; Hukaro let her hands drop, causing the smoke to cease. The image before her faded into a smear of light. She sighed, closing her eyes and lowering her head. "It is done."
"Yes, it is." A harmonious voice sounded behind the old witch.
Hukaro narrowed her eyes into slits; her back remained turned to the intruder to the intruder. She spoke, her voice frail and distant, "So, ye have finally made your appearance, I see."
The sweet voice rang softly through the hut, "Lady Hukaro…I see you are still meddling in the affairs of love…" The voice paused, "And demons."
Hukaro turned her head to face the being that stood in her doorway. Her voice was entwined with bitterness as she spoke, "Aye, I did make a bargain with a demon. However, if you have come to stop me, it is too late."
The being smiled kindly, her silver eyes scanning the old woman, "I did not come here to stop you, Hukaro. I merely came with a warning."
The old woman scoffed, dropping her gaze from the being in disgust, "Your presence is not welcome here, nor is your 'advice'. If you do not leave, I will be forced to destroy you for good." She rose to her feet with a bundle of herbs in her arms and dropped them into a nearby canister.
"Come now, Hukaro. Do you still feel such hatred towards me?" The being's silky voice remained calm as she spoke; her silver eyes followed the witch closely, "As you well know, you can never destroy me. As long as there is love in the world, my presence will never die. It is best you take heed of my word."
Hukaro muttered darkly under her breath, casting her narrowed, dull-coloured eyes back to the being's face. Her gaze lingered on the silver eyes for only a moment before shifting to the open window. The moon was close to disappearing; its surface was barley visible over the foliage of the trees. The wind, which had bombarded her cabin only moments before, had disappeared, leaving the outside world calm and peaceful once again.
The being's voice continued, drilling its melody into the bitter witch's ego, "Lady Hukaro, your magic is indeed strong, but do not think for an instant that you can destroy the emotion of love. This half-demon and young girl- the ones who have fallen prey to your dark magic- will not be so easily defeated…"
A white light erupted within the cabin, engulfing the darkness. Hukaro blocked the blinding the light with her arm; her eyes squinted painfully. The being began to fade within the light, her velvety voice echoing throughout small room, "Heed my warning, Hukaro. Your wicked incantations will never defeat their love. It is best you give up."
The light and voice faded, leaving the old witch alone once again.
--
Smoke floated into the brightened night sky, slowly unmasking the destroyed woods. The light, which had illuminated the sky only moments before, had disappeared, leaving great destruction in its wake. The ancient trees, which had once bore broad, luscious leaves within its foliage, were blackened and distorted. The noises of the night had ceased; silence now stood supreme.
Amongst the charred ground, at the point where the deeply impaled scars subsided, a matted figure lay motionless- the figure of a young woman. Her sprawled form lay upon her side; her tousled hair lightly fluttered over her pale, scathed face. Blood trickled carelessly from her wounds, staining the ground. Her chest remained still; her lips allowed no breath to pass. The heart within her chest slowed, losing power with each strained beat.
The sun began to emerge from behind the rolling land, painting the horizon in light pastels of colour. The thick sheet of darkness that had dwelled over the troubled land was chased away by the glowing rays of sunlight. Shadows danced throughout the destroyed woodland, playing off the burnt trees and arid foliage.
Amid the destruction, at the peak of the scars, a young man stood, his shoulders heaving. His arm fell to his side, dropping his transformed sword upon the ground; his chest rose and fell heavily as his racing heart slowed to its normal pace. His golden eyes remained hidden beneath his silver bangs as he fell to his hands and knees. The locket around his neck turned black, and fell to the ground in ashes; its purpose was complete.
And then he noticed it; the voice had stopped. He was no longer held captive in that dark room; he was back in the outside world. Replaying his last bit of memory, Inuyasha desperately tried to recall what he was doing, kneeled over amongst a charred forest. His eyes scanned the ground blankly, as memories of his captivity flooded back to the front of his mind. He had been alone, surrounded by darkness, unable to find any way out. Then, just as he had given up hope, a bright light had illuminated the room, followed by an ear-piercing scream.
A very familiar scream.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha's head shot up, his eyes grew wide at the crumpled figure of a young woman, laying only feet away. "Kagome!" The half-demon struggled to his feet and stumbled over to her broken form. Falling to his knees, he took the schoolgirl into his arms. His eyes frantically searched her face and body for any signs of life. His breaths became shaky and staggered as his eyes fell upon countless wounds, cuts, and bruises. Her school clothing was torn and stained with mud, filth, and blood; her hair hung in loose waves, entwined with bristles, grass, and dirt.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha whispered her name, feeling warm tears pushing at his eyes. Carefully, he raised a clawed hand up to her face and gently brushed back her bangs and loose hair. "Kagome…open your eyes."
She remained still, her heartbeat slowing.
Inuyasha brought her head into his chest, laying his cheek upon her hair. His hands shook as he clutched her tightly into his body, trying desperately to awaken her. "Don't you die on me…don't you die and leave me!"
Silence.
Inuyasha loosened his grip to scan her face once more, his heart beating rapidly. Her once glowing, milky skin was dull and lifeless; her chocolate eyes remained hidden beneath heavy eyelids. Dried tears smeared her cheeks, mixing with the bloodied cuts. Her chest remained still, showing little effort of life.
"Kagome..." Inuyasha grasped her into his chest once again. His voice shook with each word, "Idiot…why were you out here all alone…you-you-"
Inuyasha stopped as his gaze fell to the deeply impaled scars and destroyed wood. His Tetsusaiga lay at the point of the attack, the smoke of the Wind Scar encircling it.
The half-demon gasped, his lip quivering slightly, "N-no." He turned back to the limp priestess, clutching her even tighter into his chest. He clasped his eyes together tightly, holding back the overwhelming emotion that slowly swelled within his chest. He shook his head violently, as if trying to wake himself out of a bad dream. Tears pushed harder at his eyelids as he inhaled a shaky breath, "I-It was me."
"Inuyasha!"
Sango's voice rang out from the brightly lit sky. Kirara, carrying Miroku, Sango and an unconscious Shippo on her back, appeared over the trees. She landed gently on the ground, allowing her friends dismount with their weapons at ready. The exterminator and monk stood in silence, their gaze lingering on the back of the crouched half demon, knowing not whether they should prepare for a fight, or run to his aid.
Miroku's gaze fell to the scars imprinted within the ground. His brow furrowed as he bent down and ran his hand over the scar. "This is the deepest mark I've ever seen Inuyasha's Wind Scar produce. Sango do you-" Miroku stopped when he heard Sango's weapon fall to the ground with a light thud.
Her eyes were flooded with tears as her hand lay gently over her heart. She took a step forward, her free hand reaching out towards the crouched half-demon; her voice was barley audible, "Kagome-chan…"
Miroku glanced back towards Inuyasha, and gasped when he saw the limp form of Kagome lying perfectly still in the half-demons' arms. He rose to his feet, slowly moving towards the lifeless priestess and half-demon. He spoke firmly, his staff held at ready, "Inuyasha, what has happened here?"
The half-demon said nothing as he rose to his feet, grasping the limp schoolgirl in his arms. Her head rolled back lifelessly in his arms, exposing the wounds inflicted on her neck and face. Her hair hung loosely in the air, floating gently on the morning breeze. Inuyasha turned around to face his friends; his eyes opened slowly, revealing droplets of unshed tears.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango attempted to run forward to her friend, but Miroku held her back with an outstretched arm.
"No, Kagome-chan!" Sango attempted to fight Miroku off but soon gave up; grief slowly took hold of her entire body. Tears began running down her cheeks as she shook her head slightly. "No…" Clutching onto the monk, Sango sobbed lightly onto his shoulder, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, no, no."
The monk remained motionless, a stern look upon his face, as he watched Inuyasha move towards them, Kagome resting in his arms. Sango lifted her gaze from the monks' shoulder to the approaching half-demon; her cheeks were stained with tears.
Inuyasha continued to advance until he was a foot away from the monk. He stood perfectly still for a moment, his eyes hidden beneath his bangs. Then, with trembling arms, he held out the schoolgirl for the monk to take.
Miroku eyed Inuyasha cautiously before taking the lifeless Kagome into his arms. He opened his mouth to say something, but Inuyasha's faint voice cut him off.
"Please…Take care of her."
Miroku closed his mouth and nodded.
Inuyasha nodded back before turning and running off into the forest. His kimono and silver hair flew wildly behind him as he swiftly disappeared within the shadowed trees. He ran, not looking back, until he was alone in the middle of the forest. Immediately, he fell to his hand and knees, clutching the soil. He shook rigorously, his teeth clenched, as tears dripped from his eyes onto the soil.
You killed her.
His mind spoke loudly against him.
She said she loved you, and you killed her.
"No!" Inuyasha yelled, shaking his head. "I-I couldn't…I was…"
You couldn't protect her.
"No…" His entire body shook with rage and pain as his shoulders heaved with each breath. He stared at his hands, which were drenched in Kagome's blood.
Your hands killed her.
"My hands killed her…"
They will no longer hold her…
"Kagome…"
Those hands of yours…
"These hands of mine…"
They were the ones that killed her.
--
-Phew- Well, there you have it. Please let me know what you think! I need some opinions and thoughts to keep me going. Much lovin' and kisses! Xoxo
