Chapter 30 WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?
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Author's Note: Hey everyone! Thank you to those who took time to review!
I love the chapter for this title. It's a quote from this chapter actually. From who's potty mouth do you think it came from? Read and find out.
Special thanks to those who reviewed. You are the reason this story has come as far as it has!
Botan dah Wolf, travis, ryoko at 13, LanierShazar, inuyasha1818, Taeniaea
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A bright flash of pink light illuminated the sky before him. He blinked suddenly as the violent burst of light blinded him for the moment. It was gone just as quickly as it had come. The stray gray hairs that managed to escape their confinement in his hair tie, danced in the blowing wind.
"It's time." An old voice said to his one and only companion.
The beast shook his head in response. It was then that it's master to his place upon his back and urged him forward. With a grunt the beast complied and once again resumed his slow bud steady pace.
"She'll have completed her task by the time we get there." The strange man mused to himself.
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"Gosh Kagome! That must have been some battle." Sango said after Kagome has finished telling her tale.
"Yeah it was hard but Midoriko kept me going. She looked out for me and kept my confidence up." Kagome smiled. If not for that she may not have made it.
"We're just glad you're okay." Miroku grinned. "Especially our little hanyou friend." He said indicating to Inuyasha.
And surprisingly Inuyasha didn't argue against Miroku like you would originally expect. He simply nodded and pulled Kagome closer to him, so she was now wrapped up in his arms.
"It's getting late. We should be getting to bed now. And I'm sure Kagome's tired from all she went through today." Kaede said motherly like.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Yawning they cuddled together and fell asleep.
Xxx
It was early morning and Kagome was the first to awake. She hadn't slept as well as she would have liked last night. She just couldn't get in a comfortable position without her wounded arm bothering her. So when the first rays of light made their presence known she got up and left the hut.
Once outside she breathed deeply, savoring the morning air. She remembered while she had been inside the jewel how it felt cramped and the air was almost… too clean, if that was even possible. There was no breeze in their. It was just really different. Kagome couldn't imagine being trapped in there as long as Midoriko had been. It must have been horrible!
Kagome smiled to herself. At least she was free now. Thanks to her efforts Midoriko was probably somewhere in the heavens looking down on her now.
Sudden rusting from behind jostled her from her thoughts. Without turning around she knew who it was. She could tell just by the way he walked, by the way his presence seemed to fill the air around her.
"Hey." She greeted.
"Hey." He grinned coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waste. She leaned into his embrace, savoring his touch. "You didn't sleep much last night." He pointed out.
"I know. I'm sorry. Did I keep you up?"
"No. You didn't."
"That's good. I think..." She furrowed her brow.
"I was just thinking." He said simply.
"Oh really? About what?" Kagome wondered.
"Our future." He began vaguely.
Before Kagome could question him further she and Inuyasha heard low rustling coming from behind them, alerting them that the others were awake as well. They broke apart just as Shippo came bounding out.
"Kagome!" He cried jumping into her arms. She winced in pain as he accidentally jostled her arm.
"Careful!" Inuyasha said more harshly than he really meant.
"I'm sorry Kagome! I didn't mean to! It was an accident! Are you okay?"
"I know Shippo. I'm alright. I'm just a little sore. My just wound hasn't fully healed yet." Kagome said. She had just noticed her friends began exiting Kaede's hut, one by one stretching and yawning the sleep from their bodies. She set Shippo down proceeded to begin making breakfast when Kaede stopped her.
"Here child. Let me do it." The old priestess said taking the instant food Kagome had just pulled from her bag. "We don't want you reopening that would unnecessarily. You've been through enough already."
Kagome nodded and backed down. She took her place beside Inuyasha. As Kaede cooked Shippo played with Kirara and Kohaku. She noticed they seemed to be playing a primitive game of Tag. Sango watched them play as well, in the arms of Miroku who surprisingly kept his hands were they should be. Kagome began to wonder when they would be wed. If Miroku would propose soon or what. She smiled at the thought. They would be so happy together. Would that mean they would leave though? Would they go back to Sango's village to rebuild? Yes, Kagome realized. They would. And they should. That's what Sango had always wanted. It wasn't like Kagome couldn't come visit them anytime she wanted.
She then turned her attention to Tessa and Takashi. They were sitting not too far, but quite a ways from everyone just talking. Kagome watched as Takashi brought a hand up to run his finger's through Tessa's teal locks. Tessa then proceeded to blush in embarrassment. Looks like love had begun to bloom between the two of them. Does this mean Tessa would live here in Feudal Japan? Or would they go together to live in the modern Japan, where Tessa was from? Something told Kagome the latter would be the case. She didn't think Tessa would like living here full time and Takashi seemed to love the fresh adventure of the modern world. Most likely they would live there.
And were did that leave her? Where would she been in a year? Two years? Or even ten years from now? Would she be living here with Inuyasha? Or would they be living together in her time? The more the thought about it the more she came to realize as long as the well still worked she would probably live here in Feudal Japan with Inuyasha. She didn't think he could handle the stresses of her time. But she wasn't about to tell him that. She giggled, causing him to look at her funny.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing. I was just thinking." She answered playing it off.
"Breakfast is ready!" Kaede said passing out a bowl to each person.
"Yum!" Shippo was the first to dig in. He was soon followed by everyone else.
As Kagome ate she let her thoughts roam back to her future. So she had decided to live in the past with Inuyasha. It wasn't like she had a life to go back to in her time anyway. He hadn't done to well in well in school. Just barely enough to pass! And her friends…she would miss them sure, but sometimes they just pushed to many things on her. And then there's Hojo. Let's avoid him all together.
The rest of the morning passed by rather quickly and the group soon found themselves in late afternoon.
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"Not long now." The crazy old man said as he huffed on his pipe. "Right?" He asked the beast he was currently riding.
The beast merely grunted a dry response and continued trudging on.
"Yes. I know we could float along! But I like walking! We can enjoy the passing scenery better!" He said to the beast. "Now stop your complaining!"
This time the beast shook his head almost causing his rider to fall off.
"Now, now! Don't you be like that with me! And so what if I'm the only one enjoying this beautiful day!"
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"Strange being like this." Miroku mused. He and Sango sat sprawled out in each other's arms, enjoying the afternoon sun. "Not having any evils to be fighting or shards to be searching for." He clarified.
"Oh I know! It is different. It'll take some getting used to but I like it." She sighed deeply.
"I like it too." He whispered in her ear.
His warm breath so near to her face sent shivers down her spine. Why did she have feelings so deeply for this man? Why was he able to melt her heart so? She knew that was one question she would never get the answer to. But ya know what? Surprisingly she found herself content with that.
"Miroku, where do we go from here?" Sango asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean do we stay here with our friends or…" She trailed off suddenly finding herself uncertain. Sure she knew Miroku loved her but did he care for her enough to spend the rest of his life with her? Was he ready to think that far ahead? Was she?
"Or what?" He gently urged her on.
"Or do we go back to my home village and rebuild?" She said not realizing she was holding her breath, waiting for his answer.
Instead of an answer Sango was surprised to hear him laughing. This caused her to feel angry. Here she was being serious and he was laughing at her! Angrily she turned to face him.
"What's so funny!" She glared her words harsh.
"Nothing." He said wiping a stray tear that had fallen from his eye. "You just seemed so worried for a moment there."
"I was not worried!" She said indignant.
"Sango my sweet, yes you were." He teased.
"Well so what if I was? I just want to know what my future is going to be like. And now that Naraku is gone I can finally focus on it." Her anger slowly dissipated and she once again became relaxed.
"Yes. I know. I just couldn't help not teasing you." Miroku said his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"As always. But you still did not answer my question." No way was she going to let him get off this one.
"Sango whatever you want is fine by me. I am content to follow you anywhere you wish to go." He said seriously. "And why are you so worried about this now? Can't we talk about this some other time?"
"Are you sure? And no we can't talk about this some other time! We need to decide now where our future is going! Especially now that my brother is back in my life. I want what's best for him. After all he's been through these past three years he deserves to have a happy and carefree life ahead of him. And I'm going to make sure he gets it."
"Alright. I understand. Talk away." He said resigned.
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(A/N: Yeah I know I'm kinda rushing this day a long and I'm sorry about that… sorta. Jk! And besides I don't have anything to fill the gaps with.)
It was long past afternoon and she and Takashi had found themselves standing beside the well. She sat herself on its rim balancing carefully so as not to fall in. She was about to open her mouth to speak but he beat her to it.
"Tessa…" he began kneeling down to her level. "I think I'm falling for you." He pushed a stray lock from her face.
Her heart beat faster. Was he really saying this? Where her ears deceiving her? Making her hear something she only hoped he was feeling? "I think I have already fallen for you." She ventured bravely.
Takashi's beautiful green eyes bore into hers as if searching for any sign she could be lying. He seemed relieved when he found no hint she was not being truthful with him.
"Tessa I--" he started to say but was cut off.
Her lips were suddenly on his with an abruptness that startled even the both of them. He readily returned the gesture pulling her towards him. When it ended Tessa pulled away unable to hide the blush that was slowly spreading across her face.
"That was interesting." Takashi said unable to stop himself from grinning.
"I'm sorry. I just… I've just been waiting a really long time to do that." She said sheepishly.
"It's okay." She chuckled awkwardly.
"What were you about to say? Before I so rudely interrupted?"
"Ya know? I can't remember." He said lacing his fingers through his hair.
"Well when you remember, tell me?" The awkwardness now gone, Tessa rose to her feet and Takashi followed her. "We should be getting back now."
Tessa had taken one step forward when she was suddenly pulled back.
"Just one more minute." Takashi whispered.
Tessa shivered from his warm breath on her. He lips teased her as they hovered precautiously above her before finally the met.
"I just wanted to be the one who made the second move." He said afterwards.
Tessa smiled and together they finally set off for their friends.
(A/N: Has this chapter been extremely mushy or what? I'm beginning to think so! Somebody gag me! Wait a minute….why am I insulting myself?)
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Her heart beat accelerated drastically as she ran. She could feel the adrenalin rush pulsing through her body, urging her to keep going. She ran and ran through the forest, breaking low hanging branches and snapping twigs beneath her feet.
Her senses were on high alert, listening for any signs of the one after her. She saw the trees she passed in clear cut focus, but heard nothing but her own heavy breathing. But her other senses told her he was still behind her, he still chasing her. He was still after her.
She would not let him have her, he would not win. Not if she could help it.
She had to keep going. She knew she couldn't let him win that easily. She pushed herself even harder and somehow found the strength to run even faster. She smiled triumphantly. It had been some time since she heard the familiar sounds of twigs snapping behind her. Meaning, or at least to her, that she had lost him. She let her other senses take over and sent her aura out behind her. His presence was gone. Giving her the false happiness that she had won.
She had just about slowed her pace to a jog when she collided into something hard and warm….
Xxx
He ran after his prey. He was intent on having her and he knew he would get her. A sly grin graced his face as an idea formed in his head. He quickened his already exceptionally fast pace and veered off to the left. He continued running until he knew he was some distance a head of what he wanted.
She thought she could escape him? Did she really believe that of herself? He laughed inwardly. How wrong she was! This was one game he would surely win and claim his much awaited prize. How foolish his prey had been to think she could beat him! Humph!
His sensitive ears could hear her getting closer and closer. He could hear the twigs snapping beneath her feet, hear the branches breaking as she barreled past them. He could imagine the look of utter surprise on her face when she realized he had her. She was as good as his now. He hid behind a bush so as to surprise her as she went buy.
Suddenly she broke through the row or trees before him. It was then that he took his moment to strike. He jumped for her catching her by the waist. As they tumbled to the ground she screamed. But it was not the kind of scream you would expect. This scream was a scream of joy and laughter.
"I caught you!" he whispered in her ear.
Laughing more openly now, she struggled to regain her breath. "Yes, Inuyasha you caught me!" She laughed harder.
"What's my prize?" He asked his eyes twinkling as though he already knew the answer.
"Oh I don't know…" She tried to break away but he held her fast.
"Nice try. I got you and there is no escape." He held her tighter and nestled into her hair.
"I guess I'm just going to have to give up then." She sighed pretending to be so bothered by it.
"Is that really such a bad thing?" He pouted his lip and sniffled childishly.
"No. Actually it's not." She admitted freely, turning to face him. She accepted her defeat. She had lost. Time to give in.
For a few minutes they did nothing but stare into each other's eyes. But it wasn't long before they moved on to other things. Things I shant write here. I'll just let you, the reader, decide that for yourself. Let your sick minds wander to other things…NO NOT THAT! Okay… Maybe that… if you want… I guess… MAN! YOU GUYS SURE ARE SICK LITTLE PEOPLE! But then again I am too.
(A/N: Gosh! I am such a loser! How do you people put up with me?)
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The next day Kagome awoke with a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't place it and the more the thought about the farther away it became until it was nothing but a fleeting feeling. Maybe it was nothing but her mind playing tricks on her.
After she dressed she woke Inuyasha and together they began the long, long, long, long, trek home. The couple was almost their when they ran across someone they least expected to see. Ever. Or at least not here.
"Toutousai?" They both said in unison.
"Yes?" The old coot said looking around wildly before spotting the pair. "Oh! It's you two! Just who I wanted to see! So you finally freed Midoriko, aye? Bet that was difficult." He crossed his arms and huffed deeply into his pipe.
(A/N: Does he have a pipe? I don't think so. But he seems like the kind of person who should. So in this story whether he does or not he has one.)
"How do you know that?" Kagome asked.
"Know what?" He asked back. His old mind had already forgotten what they were talking about. Oh well. "Anyway I have been looking for you two. I'm going to make you another blade."
"What for?" Inuyasha was the one to ask this time.
"Well for her of course." The crazy old man said pointing a crooked old finger towards Kagome. "I mean you can't always expect to be there for her all the time. And plus woman with children can be very testy and she'll need something to keep her demon blood in check." He stated rightly.
Both looked at him like he was crazy. Who did this old fart think he was?
"What?" He said innocently. "You are planning on having children, are you not?"
Inuyasha looked instinctively to Kagome who responded, "Well yes. Eventually. Someday."
"Well let's get this started then!" And with accuracy a normal man his age shouldn't have, he reached forward and pulled a fang from not only Kagome's, but Inuyasha's mouth as well.
Tears sprang into Kagome's eyes, threatening to run down her cheeks. She slowly reached her hand up to her mouth to touch the now tender place, where only moments before, her left fang had been. She, on the other hand, reacted much better than Inuyasha had.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!" Inuyasha screamed at Toutousai.
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Well there it is. Not one of my best chapters but a chapter nonetheless. I sure put a lot of Author's notes in this chapter… I hope you enjoyed it somewhat. It's also not as long as my last few ones have been either though and I feel like I slacked off on it... But I kinda wanted to end this one here and so I could have a good start for the next one. Which I am working on right now, as you read this by the way. Please R AND R! THANK YOU!
Clouds of the Sky