Chapter Twenty
I apologize ahead of time to everyone, Fanfiction would not let me or my friend log in, so this is going to be at lease a day late. I am sooooooo sorry everybody, but this was ready Friday night, so not my fault, please don't kill me!
Mangadreams: Here's your update, enjoy finding out what he decides. Thanks for your review.
Punk Rock Miko2: people hating me, gotta love it! Here's an update, enjoy, and than you for the review!
iNuQTpIe: Yes, yes I do believe I just killed Kagome. Hey, that little 'but' puts a great twist into the fic, don't you think? (shrugs) Well, I think so, thanks for your review, means your reading, even if you hate me. Lol, well, enjoy chapter twenty.
Shadw: Thank you, I'm glad you love it. Here's an update, enjoy, and thanks for your review.
Angela: Lol, you've thought a lot about this, haven't you? Well, the suspense is over, read chapter twenty to find out all the juicy details. Thank you for your review, and enjoy.
Jessica Lyn: Is that an 'you are evil' in a good way or bad? Did I completely destroy something? Oh man… (goes into own little world…) Am I not good enough anymore? Should I just stop while I'm ahead…?
Minako Miharu: More Koga for sure in this chapter as well. Read to find out with Inu-Yasha and Kagome… and thank you for your review!
Inuyasha7777777kit: Well, actually, I didn't put Kagome back in her world with no memory, just suggested it. But who's to say I won't truly do it in this chapter, but that you will have to find out for yourself, for I shall not tell you here, but thank you for the review, no matter how frightened I was about being smitten to hell……
Kalei: Well I'm glad you liked it, please enjoy finding out what Inu-Yasha chooses, and thank you for your review! ( I know, my reply to you is very short tonight, but I'm running on empty, so I'll make up for it next time. Ks?)
Deludedfreak: Lol, sorry bout the cliffy thing… it gets a little better in this chapter… meh, find out for yourself. It's longer, so maybe that will help you out. Yes, by the way, I try to my very best to update on Fridays, but sometimes life sucks and I can't. Alright, well, enjoy chapter twenty, and thank your for your review.
Rae no Kitsune: Here is your update, enjoy, more Inu-Yasha Kagome scenes headed your way! And thank you for the review.
Beth: Lol, you don't' have to wait long, and its cool it took you so long, later better than never. Ok, I'm tired, and ready for bed, so when you get to reading this, enjoy, and thanks for your review!
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi, not me, less I said they were mine before…
Miroku made cooking noises to his son as he made his way back to the hut his wife was in. "Hana?" The Houshi stopped in surprise as she and Aijou exited the building. He could see the tears in both pairs of eyes. "I'm so sorry, Aijou…" Miroku tried to sooth the child, but the youkai brushed away from the Houshi's touch.
"Forgive him, Miroku-sama." Hana whispered as she passed, keeping her hand tightly wrapped around the younger boy's. The man nodded in understanding. He watched as they moved to one of the few empty huts, before holding Tori close, and entering his hut.
Miroku's dark orbs scanned the scene in front of him, pain seeming to instantly grip at his heart. His wife knelt at an unnaturally still Kagura's side. The Taijiya's head was bent low as tears streamed down her face. The Houshi called to her softly, and her head instantly snapped up to him. Her lips formed his name silently and he moved to her side, wrapping one free arm around her. "Oh, Sango…" His lips brushed her temple as he tried to comfort her.
"She's gone…they're both gone…" She moved to his chest, burying her tear streaked face into his robes. The man patted her back, whispering soft words in her ear.
"Everything will be alright, Sango." Tori accented his father's point by laughing shrilly and grabbing at his mother's hair that fell near him. She barked out a laugh as she turned to the infant, her long fingers tickling his stomach.
"You're right, Miroku." The woman took her child into her arms. "If there is one thing I've learned over these last few years is that change is imminent, but we have to pick ourselves up and keep moving forward…" Her eyes began to cloud with tears again.
"Yes, keep moving forward, but it is okay to look over your shoulder every so often." Miroku replied, wrapping both arms around his family. The Taijiya nodded silently into her husband's chest. He kissed the top of her head lightly, his embrace tightening protectively, as if he could stop the pain from reaching his love.
They stay like that for a while, the only sound Tori's gurgling at his parent's closeness. Time was lost as Sango fell asleep.
"SANGO-SAMA!" A scream broke the calm, running feet pounded at the earth. Both Taijiya and Houshi's eyes snapped open and turned to the door.
"MIROKU-SAMA!" The scream came again. The adults jumped to their feet as the group of children burst into the hut.
"What is it?" Miroku asked calmly, hiding his worry.
"There's a youkai at the gates! Hana-san and Kyouko-san won't let it in!" Kaito panted, fear evident in his tone.
"Stay here with Sango." The Houshi said as he moved to leave the hut.
"Miroku," he turned back to his wife's voice. "Be careful." Sango added sternly. He nodded quickly and left.
((Across A Land))
Hey, Koga?" Mayoka whispered as she stared at the ouji across from her.
"Hm?" He continued to eat, his eyes not turned up to the girl.
"What happened to Sango, Miroku, and Shippo?"
At her question, the youkai's head lifted. "Kagome didn't tell you?"
"No," she shook her head. He set the now meatless bone down at his side as he stared into the girl's eyes.
"Well from when I would run with my pack, sometimes I would pick up on their scents coming from the east."
"What's in the east?"
"The Taijiya village."
"Sango was a Taijiya."
"That's right."
"Do you think we could go see them?"
The ouji smiled lightly at her request. "I don't see why not. I think Sango would like to meet you."
"Really!"
Koga nodded. "Really."
"Oh, thank you, Koga!" Mayoka jumped into the youkai, wrapping her harms around his neck in a hug.
"Yeah, no problem, pup." He patted her back softly with one hand.
"What?" The girl questioned, pulling back slightly. He blinked at her in confusion. "Did you just call me 'pup'?"
"Oh, uh—" He stammered. The human's laugh cut him off. A red blush tinted his nose and cheeks in embarrassment.
"Pup, that would make me like your daughter, right?" She laughed again and his blush spread like wildfire. "I could get used to that." She leaned forward again, this time placing a chased kiss on his cheek. "Can we leave today Otousan?" She asked, sitting back on her heels. Koga stared at her in surprise. Him, a father? "Is something wrong, Koga?" Mayoka's smile had faded, and her eyes had dimmed slightly. The ouji snapped out of his daze, a smile coming to his face again.
"No, nothing's wrong. We can go today if you want." He replied. The child's face lit up once more at the youkai's words.
"Thank you, Otou…" She whispered, her head lowered slightly. "That is ok, right?" Her voice cracked slightly. "I've never had an Otousan before…"
The ouji's clawed finger cupped her chin, pulling her face back up to his. "Well I've never had a pup before, so I guess we're even." He smiled at her and she smiled back.
"I'll go find Hokori," the girl said as she got to her feet. The youkai nodded as Mayoka ran out of the den, her happiness and excitement still lingering on the air around him. The magnitude of what he had just agreed to slowly set in.
A father…me…? Another smile pulled at the ouji's lips at the thought of a pup… of a family. He got to his feet as Mayoka called to him. It was time to see his old friends once again.
((Across A Land))
"No…" His voice cracked as he spoke. His claws ran along Kagome's hairline as he stared into the silent Miko's face.
"No, hanyou?" Midoriko questioned.
"She wouldn't want to be brought back." Not after Kikyo… Inu-Yasha wouldn't lift his eyes to the powerful Miko as she moved closer. He flinched as Midoriko's hand rested on his shoulder.
"I understand." She kept her lift hand on his shoulder as her right reached to couch Kagome's forehead. A light began to glow at the end of Midoriko's fingers, and heat seeped through Inu-Yasha's skin from her other hand. "I grant you life, Miko of the future. Life a full, long life, Kagome Higurashi." A smile passed over Midoriko's lips before there was a flash of light.
Inu-Yasha felt the small weight vanish from his shoulder, the bright light blinding him for a second. He blinked quickly, trying to see the world again, but froze as he heard and felt the woman in his arms begin to breath, and her heart beat again. It can't be… His own heart began to pound as his vision returned and he focused on the Miko.
She's breathing…and her wound is almost completely gone... I don't understand… "Midoriko, I said no!" He shouted to the clear field.
I know, Inu-Yasha, and that is why you have her back. Your love transcends time, blood, and even death. You would give of yourself to better her, a selfless thing which is greater than my power. You have completely purified the Shikon no Tama, it and I will be no more. Live happily, Inu-Yasha, and love your Miko mate well…
"Kagome…" He pulled her close to his chest again, thanking Midoriko for her grace of giving both of them their life. He painfully got to his feet; he needed to get Kagome to some place safe. The hanyou staggered forward, blood running down his body with every step from the wound in his chest.
"Can you hear me, Kagome?" He whispered as he walked. There was no reply from the Miko. "I am so sorry…" He fell quiet for a few steps. "I can't believe you finished the jewel… Does that mean you killed Naraku too?" A smile twitched on the edges of his lips. "Of course you did…" Inu-Yasha pulled the woman up and met his lips to her forehead. His golden orbs narrowed slightly as a tint of wolf scent lingered on his mate.
I'll kill him…
"How's the runt? Probably as much a pain as ever." He kept moving and talking. He would find a safe place, and he knew just where.
((Across A Land))
There was darkness to meet Miroku as he ran through the village. "Stay back, youkai!" He heard Hana's voice. A low growl answered as he drew closer.
"Who are you? I won't ask again." A dark voice replied. The Houshi stumbled at the sound.
It can't be…
"That has no relevance, youkai—"
"Enough, Hana. I will take it from here." Miroku cut the girl off. Both she and Kyouko back off instantly. The man turned his attention back to the darkness just outside the gate.
Then he saw it.
A flash of red.
A glint of silver.
The gleam of gold.
"Is it truly you, Inu-Yasha?" The Houshi called softly.
"So you are here, Miroku. And Sango?" The hanyou's voice came again.
"She is here, but what is going on? What happened to you?"
"I need a bed, Kagome hasn't woken up yet."
"Kagome is with you!" Excitement showed in the man's voice.
"Do you have a bed for her or not?"
"Of course, come with me." Miroku saw movement and soon a blood and dirt covered hanyou appeared. "What's happened to you—?" He tried again, moving forward.
"Kagome needs a bed." Inu-Yasha snarled, baring his fangs. The Houshi stopped and turned back toward the village.
"This way."
"Miroku-sama…" Kyouko whispered at his side.
"Go tell Sango that Inu-Yasha and Kagome are here." Miroku replied.
"Hai." The teen bowed and ran off.
"Do you need help, Miroku-sama?" Hana fell into stride next to him. She glanced over her shoulder at the limping hanyou.
"Go to Aijou, he needs you more than I do."
Hana stopped and watched the red clothed intruder follow the Houshi, a death glare in her eyes. His molten gold orbs locked with hers, and she was struck with instant and intense fear and sorrow for both of these people. What was going on?
He broke the contact, moving on. Hana gasped in surprise before running off to do as she was told.
((Across A Land))
Sango bounced Tori against her chest as she paced in her hut. "It's ok Sensei, I'm sure Miroku-sama is fine." Kaito tired to assure her. The four other kids nodded and forced smiles.
"I know…" She muttered offhandedly. What she really wanted was to be out there with him… The Taijiya stopped and turned to the door as footsteps reached her ears.
"Sensei!" Kyouko shouted as he entered the hut.
"What is it?" Sango asked, moving forward toward the boy.
"I'm supposed to tell you that Inu-Yasha and Kagome are here."
"What! Who told you that?" The woman snapped.
"Miroku-sama."
Sango's heart pounded as realization set in. Her best friend was back, and had brought her mate with. "Where are they?"
"In the hut next to Hana's."
The oldest Taijiya was gone in the blink of an eye. She wanted to see her old friends again, and see what was going on.
((Across A Land))
"Miroku?" She called as she found the right hut.
"In here, Sango." The Houshi's voice replied. She moved to the door and pushed into the building. Her stomach heaved at the sight before her, and she clutched Tori's head closer to her chest.
Inu-Yasha knelt next to the futon where Kagome lay quietly, his eyes trained on her face. The candle light caught in the hanyou's golden orbs, his eyes filled with hidden pain and fear. Dark red liquid plastered both hanyou and Miko's clothes and loose hair to their bodies. There was a trail of bloody footprints leading to where the once purely silver haired man sat.
"Miroku…What's happened?" Sango choked out, tears welling in her eyes again. The Houshi moved to her, holding her close.
"I don't know, Inu-Yasha won't say." He whispered.
"Don't give me that!" The Taijiya pushed her son to his father and moved to the unconscious Miko's other side. "Inu-Yasha, what's wrong with Kagome?"
He stared at her silently.
"Kagome, can you hear me?" Sango reached toward her friend's body, trying to undo the blood armor the Miko wore. Inu-Yasha jumped forward, snarling and grabbing the Taijiya's wrist. "What are you doing? She needs her wounds treated." The woman defended.
"She has no wounds."
"How can you…" The woman's voice trailed off as she truly looked at both the hanyou and Miko. "You're the one who's wounded…"
"I'm fine." He let her wrist go and slowly sat back.
"Let me get you some water." She got to her feet carefully, watching the hanyou with new eyes. "Come on, Miroku." She breathed as she grabbed his arm, pulling him out of the hut.
((Across A Land))
She smiled as the wind blew through her hair. Her eyes were closed to the world as the Neko finally landed on the ground next to the small campfire. Koga's head lifted to meet her.
"See anything up there?" He joked, seeing her closed eyes.
"Nope, just you down here, Otou." The girl smiled as she opened her eyes. The ouji smiled back, opening one arm toward her.
"Come here, pup." He called softly. Mayoka quickly and happily obeyed. She climbed onto his lap and snuggled against his warm chest. She was still surprised at how comfortable that breast plate was.
"How are you?" He asked, running one clawed hand through her loose black hair, while the other rested on her lower back, holding her close.
"I'm fine. How are you?" He chuckled at her question.
"Fine."
"How long until we get to the Taijiya village?"
"Probably another day. We might get there by nightfall."
"Sounds good to me…" She fell silent then, just relaxing into the youkai's strong, warm embrace.
Koga's muscles relaxed slightly as the child's scent filled his nose. Her slow, calm heartbeat and breathing in his ears. He would protect her, this child, with his life, and not even that mutt Inu would get in his way.
Mayoka would never feel the pain his Kagome had, that the ouji would make sure of. His girl would grow up and live happily. Her heart would never be torn out and crushed in a clawed hand.
((Across A Land))
Kagome was floating in warm air. She didn't know where she was, and frankly, didn't care. She was content and relaxed: something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Something was calling to her, but what was it? Her body pulsed as her hearing cleared and she recognized the breathing of another. Who's there… Her mind was foggy, and she couldn't recognize the spirit next to her. And he was next to her.
Then her mind cleared, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her chocolate orbs locked on molten gold, and everything was back in a white flash.
Inu-Yasha…
Alright guys, there it is. A bit longer than usual, but I thought you guys deserved it after chapter nineteen. Please leave me a review… It makes me happy when they appear on my email. Alright, ja ne everybody!
Myst