Chapter Twenty One
Inuyasha7777777kit: Lol, yep, something like that, except Inu-Yasha and Kagome are already mates, and Kagome wouldn't sit Inu-Yasha when he's so injured, and would Inu-Yasha be well enough to fight and defeat Koga? Lol, just a few buts. Thank you for your review, and hope you enjoy chapter twenty one.
Jessica Lyn: Well, I'm glad you don't hate me or anything. Yes, Kagome lives again, couldn't leave her dead! Lol, and I'm glad you liked the chapter, hope you enjoy twenty one as well. Looking forward to your next review. Okay, I'll let you read now… enjoy!
Rae no Kitsune: Well, here is your update… but why am I forgetting you said that? (shrug) Meh, it's cool, you left me a review, I am happy. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know!
Punk Rock Miko2: Update updated! Enjoy, and thank you for your review.
Deludedfreak: Of course the gang was going to be reunited! What kind of a demon do you think I am? Lol, joking, joking. Anywho, no cliff hangers in this chapter, well, not really… but I guess you will have to decide that on your own. Stop writing this? NEVER! Lol, I do promise though, I will finish this one, but let us not talk of the end just yet. There is at least another chapter after this one, so not quite there yet. Hope you enjoy this chapter, please let me know!
Minako Miharu: Hm, I try not to be too incredibly evil, but I am glad you liked Koga adopting Mayoka, and Inu-Yasha's wish working out. Well, here is the next chapter, enjoy, and let me know what you think.
Cainan: You have a brilliant point. I tried out your idea. Please tell me if you think I did a good job. Here is your update, please enjoy!
Angela: Thank you for your review, hope you enjoy chapter twenty one.
Shadw: Sad? What was sad? (goes back to look) I've had sadder… Buy anywho, here is your update, please enjoy!
Beth: Yes, chapter twenty one is a bit longer too. Hope you enjoy, thank you for your review, see ya soon.
Mangadreams: Glad you liked it, here is the next chapter, thank you for the review.
Kalei: Yes, for once, a wish made on the Shikon no Tama does something truly good. I'm glad you liked this chapter. Read on and find out what I have planned. Yes, by the way, this is close to the end, I'm just not sure how close… soon though. Thank you for your review, hope you enjoy this chapter as well, let me know!
iNuQTpIe: Update granted, here you go, enjoy, and thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns Inu-Yasha and the others, but any she does not own, are mine. K's?
"Inu-Yasha…" The Miko breathed. His ears perked slightly at her voice. She was in no pain, but she could feel dried blood coating her hair and parts of her skin. What had she missed? She remembered stabbing Inu-Yasha… And he shoved his had through her chest… "Inu-Yasha?" She whispered again, this time reaching a shaky hand out to the silent hanyou.
She saw him hesitate, as if fighting with himself, before grabbing her hand between both of his. "I'm so sorry, Kagome. How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?" His words were like a broken dam, rushing at her in a tidal wave. He stared intently as she blinked.
"I'm fine." Kagome finally said and moved to sit up. The hanyou tried to stop her, but she pushed him away. "Really, Inu-Yasha, there is no pain." She said sternly. His ears drooped slightly as he nodded. She smiled softly.
"How about you, how are your wounds? Are you in pain?" Her free hand moved to rest on his uninjured cheek.
"I'm fine." He whispered, leaning into her touch.
"You still can't hide from me, Inu-Yasha. Now, I'm not going to ask what happened right this second, but you are going to listen to me." She gave him a look. "Okay?"
He gave her puppy eyes as he nodded.
"Good. Come sit down next to me here." She patted the futon just behind her. He did as told as she swung her legs around so they hung off the edge of the bed. She reached to take the wet rag out of the bowl of water at her side; it was already a light pink from blood. She turned back to him. "Did you start to clean your wounds?" She asked, motioning for him to take off his haori and undershirt. He grunted, shaking his head as he did as told.
Kagome saw him try to hide the pain from his movements, but even after all of these years she could still see right through his mask. "Inu-Yasha…" The Miko breathed as she realized that the blood had come from her own body, the hanyou taking care of her as she slept. "I'm sorry I hurt you…" She muttered as she folded the cloth into fours.
"Why are you apologizing to me?" He asked in surprise. She was silent as she began to clean the blood off of his chest.
"I had lost faith…I had believed there was no way to save you." Tears filled her eyes.
"Kagome." His one hand rested over hers on his chest. "I don't believe you. Kagome Higurashi does not know the word surrender. She doesn't know how to loose faith."
Salt filled the air as liquid trailed down her face. Inu-Yasha wrapped his arms around her and held her close, trying to quiet her tears.
"I've missed you so much…" Her voice was thick. "You've come back to me…" The Miko's arms returned his embrace, her tears now washing away the red stains on his skin.
"Because you saved me I came out of darkness. Your light brought me back…"
((Across A Land))
Sango was a mess. She paced back and forth in the hut she, Miroku, and Tori shared. She couldn't seem to sit still with her best friend that she hadn't seen in over four years was just down the way.
What had happened…?
The question was eating her up.
"Sango?" Miroku asked softly as he stuck his head inside the door.
"What is it, Miroku?" She replied tightly.
"You might want to come out here."
"What is it now?" The Taijiya followed the Houshi out the door. Her eyes widened in surprise as her gaze fell upon the new comers to the village. "Koga?"
The ouji's head lifted from the human child sitting on a Neko's back. "Hey there, Sango."
((Across A Land))
His nose twitched, his grip tightening on his mate in his arms. The bastard wolf was here. Kagome had noticed the change in his body language and had lifted her head to gaze intently at him.
"Koga, Mayoka, and Hokori are here." She whispered. The hanyou's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"How'd you—"
"Long story, but your brother trained my senses." She pulled away and stood up. His golden eyes followed her. As she moved to leave the hut, his voice stopped her.
"He touched you." It was a deep snarl. Kagome turned back slowly.
"Inu-Yasha…" Her breath barely left her lips. He moved toward her; she could see his restraint at the simple movements.
"Did he force you?" His fangs ground together.
"Inu-Yasha—"
"Did he force you?" His snarls were now dangerously low.
"No."
He was against her in the blink of an eye. She stood still, un-phased, as he dug his nose into the crook of her neck, his fangs pricking his mark through her armor, as he sniffed deeply. She heard him snarl again before he was gone.
"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome screamed, running out into the darkness after him. A silent gasp of horror left her lips as she saw Inu-Yasha holding Koga a few feet off the ground by his throat. "Inu-Yasha, stop!" The Miko ran at the two males.
"Stay back, Kagome." Both hanyou and youkai snapped. She faltered for a second at the command before reaching her mate's side.
"Put Koga down!" There were hot stares on her, and she could feel the tension growing among the people around her. There was no telling how long it would be before all hell broke loose. "Please, Inu-Yasha." She hissed.
The ouji laughed at the hanyou as his grip faltered, loosening slightly. "Don't worry, Kagome, he's too wounded to do any real damage."
Inu-Yasha snarled, his fangs bared, as he threw the youkai to the ground. "You touched her." He took a step forward as the ouji jumped to his feet.
"I should tear you to pieces for what you did to Kagome!"
Guilt gripped at Inu-Yasha, but he wouldn't let it show. He hated that that mangy wolf was right.
"Please, Koga, Inu-Yasha, settle down!" Kagome tried again. This time she ran between the two, Hokori and Mayoka on her heels. "This is not the place or time." The Miko began to glow, her eyes hardening in determination.
"Otou, what are you doing?" Mayoka whispered, facing her adopted father.
"Mayoka, meet Inu-Yasha." Koga spat, his eyes still trained on the silver haired man in front of him. The child gasped as she turned to look at the hanyou.
"Inu-Yasha… You mean the hanyou that…" Her voice trailed off.
One silver ear twitched toward her voice. Suddenly another familiar scent reached the hanyou's nose. "What the hell is that?" He snarled, whirling around to come face to face with a young woman. Her dark eyes were filled with anger and hatred, and he realized she was the same girl who had tried to stop him last night. This time she had two pups with her… one that smelled very familiar and unwelcome.
"Hana, come over here now." Sango's sharp voice cut through the air. The young teen moved instantly.
"Wait." Inu-Yasha reached a clawed hand out to grab at the older of the two pups; the one clinging to the young woman's side. A sudden wave of dizziness hit him and his hand stopped, dropping uselessly back to his side. The world began to spin, and he stumbled back a few steps.
"Inu-Yasha…?" Kagome's voice echoed to him from a distance. "Inu-Yasha!" Her face was suddenly in his view. "Inu-Yasha!" She was far away, down a tunnel.
Kagome… Then he was falling, falling back into darkness.
((Across A Land))
The two sat silently, the fire crackling in front of them. The child pulled her legs closer to her chest, and the youkai's arms tightened around her at the movement.
"I don't get it." Mayoka broke the silence.
"What?" Koga asked.
"Well a lot of things. Like: How can Kagome-san take Inu-Yasha back so quickly after all he's done?"
"I don't know." The ouji growled. The girl's gaze turned up to him now.
"And what was he talking about when he said you 'touched her'?"
"They are mates." Was all the youkai croaked out, his body tense.
"Oh…"
There was silence again.
"Do you think Kagome-san's alright?" Mayoka whispered a little later.
"I don't know."
"Maybe I should go see." She moved to get up, but he pulled her back.
"Not now. Go to sleep Mayoka, you can find Kagome in the morning. Let her be for now."
The child nodded into his chest and closed her eyes. "Good night, Otou…" She sighed.
"Night pup."
((Across A Land))
Hana handed Tori over to his mother, battling if she should ask if everything was alright. "Ah… Sensei?" The teen drew the oldest Taijiya's attention.
"Yes, Hana?" Sango's eyes rose to the girl.
"What's going on? Who are those youkai?"
"It's a very long story." The Taijiya sat down by the fire pit, Tori laughing in her lap.
"Will you tell me?" Hana asked, sitting down next to the woman, holding Aijou in her lap, mimicking her mentor. Sango let out a slow sigh as she nodded.
"Everything started about five years ago, when a young girl from the future fell down the Bone Eater's Well…"
((Across A Land))
Kagome wrung out the bloody rag once again and turned to the silent hanyou sitting on the futon. "What were you thinking, baka?" She muttered as she cleaned the slowly healing wounds on him.
"He was wrong, he shouldn't have touched you." Inu-Yasha growled, his golden gaze trained on the Miko. Her hand stopped, her gaze lowered from his.
"Inu-Yasha…" He could hear her teeth grind together. "Just drop it, ok?" She added.
"No." He growled. The woman's hand clenched the cloth into her fist. He grabbed her upper arms and squeezed once. "You're my mate, Kagome." His voice was low, a hint of pain hidden in its depths. Kagome's head snapped up, her eyes glowing in anger, as she pulled out of his grasp.
"Koga didn't do anything, Inu-Yasha!"
"Why are you defending him!"
"He's my friend!"
"I'm your mate!" His voice was a roar now.
"Damn it, Inu-Yasha, I know you're my mate, I know! I was faithful, even after you attacked me! Even after you ran through Japan, killing innocent villagers! Now you accuse the one who stayed by my side through it all of raping me!" She stopped, panting slightly before quietly going on. "I have changed, Inu-Yasha… I am not the same helpless girl you first mated…" Her head lowered in shame.
Inu-Yasha's breath had slowed to a crawl, his heart pounding in his ears, his eyes wide and staring. "Kagome…" He breathed, one clawed hand reaching out to the woman. She pulled away, standing up, her eyes never rising to his.
"Call if you need me." Kagome turned her back to him. The hanyou stared as his mate walked out on him.
Oh Kagome… Inu-Yasha's hand and head lowered.
It tears me up inside,
My heart and soul call out.
But my body moves away…
Kagome slammed her fist into the side of the hut Inu-Yasha was in. Her head lowered in shame again.
Why have you done this?
Why do you run from me?
I can help you, if only you'd stay…
He heard her fist hit the wood across from where he sat. His head lifted to watch the spot. A slow sigh left his lips.
I couldn't ask for help,
Especially from you.
What would you think,
If you saw me now…?
The Miko pulled away again, moving instead to walk around the mostly quiet village.
It's been so long,
I miss your strong arms holding me close.
Maybe you could do that again,
Just for a little while…?
The hanyou winced slightly as he moved to lie back on the futon. He brought his hands up to cover his face.
You were the only one who treated me fair,
Like I was a real person.
You were the light in my dark world…
Kagome stopped in the shadow of a hut, watching a few of the children in the village gathered around the fire burning in the center of the square. A cool wind picked up as she watched silently, blowing her ebony bangs against her face and sending a chill down her spine.
The world has become so cold without your warm embrace.
I don't know where to turn,
Because without you, my world begins to whirl.
A deep growl clawed its way out of Inu-Yasha's throat at the still present scent of blood on his hands.
I've done so many things,
So many things I am ashamed for you to know…
You could not trust me,
Not anymore…
The dagger at the Miko's ankle began to dig into her bone from the position she was in. She made a face and moved, loosing interest in the small group of children.
I am no longer the girl you used to know.
Without you, I have learned anew:
Ways to survive alone…
To ignore the blood and gore.
Inu-Yasha's hands lowered from his face, and his head turned to look at the door of the hut. A young raven haired girl wearing a skimpy outfit came running through the entrance. She called his name, her eyes bright, a smile on her lips. Kagome…
If only time could turn back,
I'd be able to protect you from it all…
The Miko's hand ran along the back wall of the Taijiya village. Her head was lowered in thought.
We must keep going.
If only you'd be with me once and for all.
She was right outside again, the hanyou could smell it. She had decided something, he could sense that as well, but did he want to know what that something was?
Could you truly forgive me,
For all that I've done?
In your new ways,
Would you forgive your once love?
Kagome lifted her head as she reached the hut Inu-Yasha was in again. She couldn't forget the past, but she couldn't let it ruin the future either. She took a deep breath and pushed into the building. He was lying on his back on the futon, his eyes turned to her. She tried to smile, moving forward. She knelt at his side, their eyes never breaking contact.
My soul, my mate,
I understand your heart.
There is nothing that could stop me,
Stop me from forgiving my true love.
Kagome's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry…" She whispered. His hand moved to rest against her cheek.
"I should be saying that." Inu-Yasha gave her a grin. The Mio laughed sharply before leaning down to capture his lips with hers. His hand moved to the back of her head, pulling her deeper into the kiss. She moved to lie on the futon next to him, never breaking their kiss.
Author Note: The poem in this is mine, please do not steal it. Hope all of you enjoyed this, please leave me a review, and let me know how to make my writing better for all of you readers out there! Well, until next update, ja ne everyone!
Myst