A/N: I'm really depressed right now. Let's just say it has to do with a rather tearful development in Takahashi-sama's plot. No one's dead…yet…but things look bad for one of my favorite characters.
I ended up eating a bag of chocolate cookies and watching some anime to make myself feel better, along with praying that they'll at least be spared in the end of the story.
Takahashi-sama, why must you make me cry so?
Chapter 9: Realizing the Truth
Sango the youkai exterminator stood in the center of the village of the youkai exterminators, her hands interlocked as she looked up at the clouded sky. A small smile came to her face as the wind blew around her, mixed with flower petals she recognized from her childhood.
I can't believe how much I missed this place. She thought, her eyes looking around the silent village. In some ways, it hurt to be back, a reminder of how wonderful her life used to be before Naraku, and how now she was the sole survivor of the youkai exterminators, except for Kohaku.
There would be sometimes, when she would wonder how her life would be now, a year later, if Naraku had not attacked them, and her village was still alive. She would have never known Kagome, or Inuyasha, or Shippou, but most of all, she would have never known—
Sango turned to see Miroku walking towards her, a smile on his face, and warmth in his indigo eyes. She returned his gaze with a smile. If that had never happened, I would have never met Houshi-sama…I would never trade in what I have now for what could have been.
When Miroku came up to his fiancée, he smiled down at her warmly, before looking away, towards the forest. "Inuyasha certainly left in a hurry last night." He said with a grin. "Looks like he couldn't wait to get out of here."
"I'm betting it was more that he wanted to be with Kagome-chan, than anything." Sango replied with a similar smile. "Maybe he can finally help her with all of her suffering."
The monk turned to her, his eyes no longer twinkling. They now looked worried. "Are you sure that leaving them alone like this is a good idea, Sango? I trust Inuyasha not to do anything foolish on purpose…but we can never know. The curse was started, if you recall, because of—"
"I know, Houshi-sama." Sango cut him off before the monk could continue any further. "I know." She repeated, her happy voice falling. "But I know no matter what he gets into his head, he wouldn't risk hurting Kagome."
Shippou, who had been listening in on their conversation from far away, jumped over and popped up on to Sango's shoulder. "How long are we staying here?" he asked.
The smile once again came to Sango's face. "A week." She replied, glancing back at Miroku, whose violet eyes had begun to twinkle once more. "A whole week to ourselves."
Kagome kept her eyes on Inuyasha as they walked through the forest, silently journeying back to the village. Over the day she had spent alone with him, she had thought about a lot of things.
The first thing on her mind, of course, had been that time when he was cursed. Kagome hated thinking about it, but sometimes, it felt like she had to. The pink light flashed through her memories, along with the scream of pain from Inuyasha. She would see him falling on the ground again, his hair flying out behind him, his eyes closed…Making her gasp in torment when she remembered that awful memory.
But when Inuyasha would lean near her…when he would touch her slightly, or carry her on his back, other memories came into her mind. She would sigh, and remember their kisses, how their passions had intensified, making her heart and breath stop with the depth of his love.
Kagome remembered his voice, speaking softly, telling her how much he loved her. How he would hold her in his arms, making her feel safe. She had always felt safe around him, knowing Inuyasha would do whatever it took to protect her. Kagome loved being in his embrace, because it meant her Inuyasha was there, and would always protect her, never letting go.
Thinking about being safe in his arms brought about the other terrible memories…memories of youkai Inuyasha. Those terrible crimson eyes in place instead of the beautiful amber ones he usually had, the fangs that he grew, the stripes on his cheeks…and then his claws. Those horrible, evil claws, that also popped up in her frequent nightmares…slashing down at her while he snarled, blood flying everywhere, and Kagome feeling pain beyond pain in her back—
But once again she was drawn back into the present, seeing hanyou Inuyasha at her side, with his radiant amber eyes softening whenever he looked at her, the look causing her heart to skip a beat. Her heart would rise in her chest whenever she remembered she had one week alone with him…a whole week with Inuyasha. The thought made her want to smile.
Kagome had to force it away when the thought came, knowing that she could not be thinking those things. Inuyasha turned into a youkai because of me…she reminded herself. I can't let that happen to him again…I don't want to kill him again…
I can't let myself...feel that way…Her brown eyes glanced at Inuyasha who was walking beside her, and when he noticed her gaze, turned and also looked at her, his amber eyes meeting hers in another stare.
Feeling her heart respond to his look, Kagome couldn't pull away. Inuyasha…His gaze was intensifying, so hypnotizing. The gleam of longing and love in his eyes was so forceful, so powerful, that Kagome wanted to run into his arms at that moment, and feel loved. Inuyasha…
But, as always, she pulled herself away from his eyes, gasping slightly at the effect he had on her. "Inuyasha," sheturned away. "How much longer until we reach the village?" She had already asked this question, and already knew the answer, but she needed an excuse for looking at him like that.
Kagome could almost hear the disappointment in his voice. "Several days, Kagome. It might even be a week. Depends upon how fast we go."
She kept her head turned away from him, as she nodded. "Yeah…"
After a slight pause, Kagome heard Inuyasha come closer to her, her heart pounding with ever step. "Listen, Kagome…"
Turning back to him, she asked, "What?"
Inuyasha turned away from her for a moment, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "Kagome…you know, it's been a while since we both traveled alone like this."
Kagome felt herself give a small, unheard gasp. She had an idea where this conversation was going. "W-what's your point?"
The hanyou turned sharply back at her, making Kagome almost stagger back in surprise at the seriousness in his eyes. "Kagome, all I'm asking is why you have to be so—"
He never got to finish that thought, because at that moment, there was a rustle in the bushes, and Inuyasha immediately recognized a scent as the figure came closer, yet stayed out of view. He made a move for her, as if to step in front of her to protect her, but instead, he did something that surprised Kagome entirely. He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to him, her eyes going full in shock and an enormous blush on her face.
"So, Inuyasha, I see you still have your mate." Sesshoumaru said in a calm voice, walking into the clearing, his eyes narrowed at his half-brother.
"Keh." Inuyasha muttered, pulling Kagome closer to him, making her blush deepen. "That's right. Did you come all this way to insult me, Sesshoumaru?"
The daiyoukai scoffed at that. "Baka hanyou. I came to see if you remained in your youkai form, but by the looks of it you are not. How did you free yourself from that vile form?"
Kagome felt Inuyasha stiffen, and she knew he was remembering the same memories she was in his mind—the time she had to kill him. The pink light flashed in her mind once again…but the pain wasn't as bad this time. Though she didn't like it at first, she couldn't deny now that his arm around her waist was helping her…it was almost as if he was offering her comfort…
Suddenly, the great youkai looked down to his hip, towards the two swords at his waist. Tenseiga was vibrating. Sesshoumaru glanced at his sword, and then back at Inuyasha, with a surprised look on his face. "You…" he looked over at Kagome, who leaned more into Inuyasha for comfort at his gaze. "Your human wench had to purify your soul, and send you into death?"
Feeling Kagome give a sharp intake of breath at that, Inuyasha had enough. "What does it matter what happened?" he snapped, letting go of Kagome and walking towards Sesshoumaru, his hand on Tessaiga in case his older brother wanted a fight. "The point is I'm back now, and I'm back to normal! There's nothing to worry about!"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes once more at Inuyasha. "If you think there is nothing else to worry about, then you are greatly mistaken, Inuyasha."
A growl escaped the hanyou as he spoke. "If you're talking about Naraku, then I already know, baka!"
Rolling his eyes, he said in a know-it-all voice. "I am talking of your curse, you ignorant hanyou. Unless this miko assured you that she removed it in death, since I assume you met her there, then you cannot know for sure if you are still cursed, can you? Who's to say it won't happen again?" Sesshoumaru glanced over at Kagome. "Unless you want to find yourself killing your miko with your own two claws, I suggest you watch yourself, little brother." He said those last two words with as much mockery as he possibly could.
The growling that came from Inuyasha only intensified, his amber eyes wild with anger as his knuckles grew white on Tessaiga, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. "Sesshoumaru…" he warned.
"Getting angry at me will do you no good, Inuyasha." The youkai advised. "You may only draw out your youkai blood faster. If you do not wish to hurt the girl, then you had better kill Naraku quickly, before he can use this to his advantage. I do not wish to see Naraku prevail because of a silly mistake you made."
Inuyasha was about to lose control and attack Sesshoumaru blindly, but the appearance of a green imp running into a clearing stopped him. "Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken cried, running to his master's side. "Why must you always leave me behind, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Jaken," Sesshoumaru ordered, "Go on ahead, I shall come in a moment." His servant did what he asked, without question, much to the relief of all in the clearing. Sesshoumaru made a move to leave, but he turned back and said one last thing. "Ironic, isn't it, Inuyasha, that you seem to have the worst luck with human mikos, especially the last one. If you are not careful, you may cause the death of this girl as well." With one last elegant turn, as his long hair was caught up by the wind, Sesshoumaru left, leaving an enraged Inuyasha and a shocked Kagome behind.
Another growl escaped the hanyou's throat. "Bastard…how dare he say that to me…I'd never…"
As Inuyasha continued his rage, Kagome looked down, thinking over what the stoic daiyoukai had said. Everyone keeps telling us that something bad will happen…that we need to focus on Naraku and worry about us later…
But as she watched Inuyasha, as he finished his tirade and turned back to look at her, she turned away so she wouldn't get caught in the spell of his eyes. But, I know that Inuyasha…he doesn't want to follow that. I know that he only wants us to be as we were before…without mating, of course, and I know that it's just not possible.
I couldn't bear having to see Inuyasha as a youkai again, or having to kill him again…It would break my heart again, and it already breaks everyday when I remember those painful times.
Shutting her eyes and clamping her fists, Kagome fought her thoughts. It's best if we just forget about us before, it would be safer, and wouldn't endanger everyone around us.
But Inuyasha doesn't want that…and secretly…
I don't want it either…
A/N: I sense some fluff! Anyway, it took me a while to write, because I got trapped into playing Final Fantasy VII. (My friends let me borrow it , after they made me watch Advent Children and I didn't get it…Cloud looked hot though. :D)
