Thank you for your patience with this story and it's long waits for updates. I feel so bad during the month when I don't update. I'm sorry!

In the Sands of Time

Chapter 6 – Memories of the sun

By: Soul's Hatred

Nightmares plagued his sleep as he lay in bed, tossing and turning, attempting to escape from the frightening illusions of the night. He woke gasping for breath and clutching his heart from the phantom pain of an arrow piercing his heart, still lingered in his memory only now coming back to life.

'It's only a dream,' he told himself but even with his self-calming, he knew it was real. He had felt the searing pain of an arrow slice through his skin and lungs. The price he had paid for the fault he had done.

His whole life he had had rules scorched into his mind, but the one that he was never to forget or to break was the one that was broken and forgotten. 'Her life comes before yours. Do everything in your power to protect it.'

Silver hair flew back and forth, as he shook his head to clear the images that continued to form in his conscious mind. 'You were the one who betrayed me and my family, bringing me here just so I could be reminded every time I see your silver hair of the night my life ended.'

Her words rang clearly in his mind and pierced deep into his soul, but he couldn't put it together.

"I didn't do anything!" he whispered to himself. He hadn't done anything. Maybe that was the problem, he hadn't done anything.

He threw the sheets onto the other end of the bed and stepped out onto the cool stone floor. He threw on a robe and walked out his door and down the long corridor to the gardens.

A warm breeze gently blew silver locks in front his amber eyes making him brush them away with a clawed finger. He stepped through the garden entrance and was met by brilliant greens, violets, pinks, and burnt oranges. The colors followed him as he walked deeper into the garden. It looked so different in here compared to the flat brown horizon outside and Inuyasha was glad to escape into the world of color and scent. The smells surrounding him were enchanting and soothing to the mind.

As he walked further into the garden, he came upon a calm spring of water with trees surrounding its edge. It was said that this oasis was the most beautiful place in the world now it's a masterpiece, crafted from the environment by the hands of man.

He rested against a tree letting his feet dangle in the refreshing water while his mind drifted from the present.

It wasn't because she couldn't sleep, it was because she didn't want to that she was up and walking around the castle in the dead of night. The full moon making the world look like a silver daytime instead of a deathly night.

Her raven hair was tied loosely behind her and she wore a light robe around her small frame. She walked quickly and quietly threw the corridors slowly making her way to the doors that led to the outside world.

The breeze warmed her when she took step on the golden sand and met the open air for the first time in days. It felt so refreshing to her to be able to breathe fresh air that blew gently past her.

She moved further from the large building, wanting to get some distance but not meaning to leave forever. She had no place to go if she left now her home was destroyed, and her life ruined.

A small building, connected to the larger, caught her attention and she began to walk towards it. She found the door already open and quickly slipped into the enchanting garden. Her breath caught in her throat when she looked around her. Everything was lovely and soothing, nothing out of place.

She continued to walk down through the walkways that were set up around the garden. 'So this is where I'm going to be working?' a smile crept onto her face as she thought of the wonders of working here day in and day out. Never getting bored of all the marvels, the garden provided for its onlookers.

At the sight of the small lake in the middle of the whole garden she stopped, dead, in her tracks. Astonished at the sight that lay before her. She gingerly stepped forward; slowly inching her ways closer to the calm water the called to her.

Slowly she moved closer and closer to the cool water until she stopped seeing silver locks of hair blowing from behind a tree. She changed her course and started heading towards the boy with the hair. "I can't believe this!" She cried when she had accepted the person who hid from her behind the tree.

Inuyasha whipped around to face the person who interrupted his thoughts. His face suddenly held a look of confusion when he saw the raven-haired girl standing before him.

"I come out here to get away from everything and what do I find? I find the one thing that haunts my dreams every night, not allowing me to sleep for fear I'll see those terrible things again." She continued to talk as Inuyasha stood from the ground, continuing to stare at her with mixed emotions. When she finally takes a breath in her ranting and Inuyasha takes that moment to break in.

"Stop speaking." He commanded. Surprised by the sudden command she quiets and looks at him with question. One look at his amber eyes and dog-like ears and she's speaking again.

"Why should I listen to you! You used to serve me, protect me, bow down to me. Looks like you did a good job at that, doesn't it?" her voice finely laced with venom that she attempted to hold but it slipped none-the-less. "Now I'm the one who serves you, instead of the other way. Nice turn of events on your part, wouldn't you say? Of course it is, you'd just love to see me grovel at your feet with my little petty requests, wouldn't you? Don't expect me to everbow to your feet." she was sizing him up, taking steps closer to him, making him step back.

"I've always hated you, ever since you were assigned to guard me. You were always the worse bodyguard I had ever received. It was a bit of a shame when you didn't die as quickly as all the others, the ones that I liked. No, you just had to continue living in spite of me. Then when my life was actually at stake you did nothing; you just stood there staring at the floor when I'm being carried away. How the hell did you wind of he of all places when you should be dead for the crime that you committed?" She was on a streak as she continued to speak words of hate toward Inuyasha who just stood there taking it all, showing no sign of anger or pain.

"I'm sorry." He said, barely above a whisper. The girl's rambling stopped and she looked at his downcast head.

"What was that?" she asked.

"I'm sorry." His voice was no less sincere then the first time he spoke the words. He turned to go.

"Wait." Hehalted at the sound of her shaky voice and waited for her to continue. "How can I be sure?"

"How can you be sure of anything until you're sure of yourself." She had to strain to hear his whispered reply. "Memories are not the twin of truth, just its cousin." At that, he walked away from her. Kagome stood alone again with his words going through her mind. Or so she thought they were his words.

'What the hell did I just say?' Inuyasha thought as he walked back into the castle and up to his room. 'Must have been something Miroku said. Shit, I'm listening to him now? At least it shut her up.' His thoughts went on into the night.

"Miroku!" a voice rang clearly through the empty halls. 'Where the hell is he?' Inuyasha cursed when he couldn't find the lecherous monk. "Miroku!" he yelled again with still he same response as before. I'm going to kill him when I find him, the silver haired hanyou thought as he walked down the long corridors leading to nowhere.

"Would you shut up out there? People are trying to sleep!" a girl screamed from her room. Inuyasha just glared annoyingly at the closed door. He was in no mood to deal with other problems at this hour.

He screamed louder just to annoy the person who dared to yell at him. "Miroku! You lech, get you ass out here now before I have it removed." Inuyasha smirked at how quickly the poor young monk moved at that statement. Should really use that more often, he thought to himself as Miroku came to a stop, panting, before him.

"What do you want?" the man finally asked when he was standing straight and looking at Inuyasha. "Couldn't you wait another hour? I was sleeping so peacefully." The half-demon rolled his eyes at the excuses the man made.

He stood there thinking what he was going to say. Really, he didn't have anything to say in the first place, he only wanted to make a racket around the palace. He did a good job too. "What kind of crap have you been loading into my head?" he finally yelled making Miroku flinch a bit at the sudden sharpness.

"What are you talking about? I haven't told you anything you didn't need to hear…" he paused for a moment before adding, "that might benefit you in the future…if not at the present." He had no idea what he was saying, what ever came to his mind came out of his mouth. His attempt at saving himself was rewarded with a scowl.

Inuyasha stood there not believing a word the monk at to say. A frown drew down his lips. He opened his mouth to speak but found no words to use against the monk that smirked weakly at the prince. "Wipe that grin from your lips monk, you won't have the last words. Not if I can help it." Moreover, he turned to walk away.

"Always has to be on top of everyone, never can accept second best. Stubborn goat." Miroku in turn walked away, back to his room.

"I could have your head on a platter with only a word." Inuyasha snapped.

"I don't believe your mother would much like that, do you?" at that the monk turned the corner and was out of sight. I win again, he thought smugly to himself as he pushed open his bedroom door.

Damn monk, thinks he can fool me, Inuyasha thought angrily as he stormed down the halls with a deadly rage glistening in his amber eyes. A maid, carrying a bundle of clean sheets, shrunk to the other side of hall avoiding Inuyasha the best she could.

"What's your problem?" he barks at her. She quivered and quickly dashed down the hallway. "That's what I thought."

He walked into his room, not needing to open the door. He stopped abruptly when he saw a girl leaning over the railing of the balcony.

I have absolutely nothing to do! Kagome thought desperately to herself as she walked the halls mindlessly. Maybe you should get lost. Yeah, wouldn't that be easy enough, this place is huge. She shook her head at the monologue she was carrying on.

"I have to stop talking to myself." She said softly. The rest of the hallway was in silent thought. She turned the corner and an idea popped into her head. "I know!" she set off quickly in the desired direction.

"No one is permitted to pass." Two men said at the same instant as they blocked Kagome's path. Their faces remained, for the most part, emotionless. Like a soulless puppet. She stepped back from them and their long pointy sticks, fearing for her safety.

Her thoughts were quick to come and she acted instantly. She stepped forward and was nose to nose to one of the guards. "You wouldn't deny such a hungry, starving, girl not to see the queen and ask for help, would you?" Kagome said in her most sweet, airy voice. It was no use; they didn't even blink at her seemingly persuasive words. She stepped away from them again.

Surely, that should have worked, she thought disappointed with her failure. Suppose I underestimated them…

"Are you sure I can't speak with her?" still no response, with a sigh Kagome turned and walked way with sagged shoulders. "You guys are really quite mean, I hope you know that."

Therefore, she found herself roaming the halls again. Wondering what she was supposed to do with the whole day ahead of her and no work on top of it all. She turned her hundredth corner but stopped at the faint touch of breeze on her heated skin. Her head turned unconsciously towards that welcoming air. With in moments she found herself leaning on the railing of a balcony over looking the ocean of sand. A magical sight filled with memory.

I walked in the halls with my body guard only feet behind me. His eyes on my back made my skin crawl making me involuntarily shiver. "Dinner will be reading in a few moments." I heard him say behind my shoulder. My head bobbed up and down slowly to acknowledge I indeed heard him.

I didn't very much like this new bodyguard but I tried to hide my discomfort with a small smile. We made our way into the dinning hall and I dismissed him to his room for the evening meal. I made my way towards my seat and sat myself there awaiting the arrival of the rest of my family.

"Oh, Kagome you are already here. It's nice to see you early for once to dinner." It was my mother; she was always trying to compliment everyone on everything they did no matter how small.

"Hello mother." I greeted her as she took her seat across from mine. "Where is father and Sota?" I didn't look at her as I spoke; instead, I kept my eyes on the plain white dish in front of me.

"They will be here in a moment. You're father has something to show you." Her smile was evident in her voice; you didn't even have to see it. She always smiled. I have never known a time when she didn't have a smile on her face.

I heard my father before he said a word and sat at the head of the table. "Good evening, dear, Kagome." Acknowledging each of us. "Where is my son?" He asked when he didn't see my younger brother seated at the table.

"He isn't here yet." I responded trying to act most respectful towards them for their ever-annoying questions and statements were beginning to drive me insane.

"Well, that can't be helped. Let us eat." He announced. We waited patiently for him to begin then began ourselves.

The meal moved on slowly, everything was quiet except for the smacking of lips and the occasional clashing of pots coming from the kitchen.

"Sorry I'm so late." My brother announced himself as he took a seat next to my mother. "I got caught up in some work that I hadn't finished."

I rolled my eyes at his excuse. He never had work hehad to do and if he did there was always someone he could blackmail into doing it. "That's fine, dear. Eat your dinner, it's getting cold." My mother's soft voice was the one that spoke to him. He smiled and began to eat the chilled food.

A conversation started over the amount of wheat the farmers were producing between my father and brother. They said something that set me off and I set down my chopsticks and began to stand. "I'm sorry father, but I'm beginning to feel ill. Please excuse me."

"Oh, Kagome wait. I have something I wish to show you. I believe you'll find it most enjoyable." He smiled a warmly towards me as he too stood from his seat and came over to my side. "Please excuse us." He told the rest of the table and we left the dinning hall.

We walked down the hall in silence for awhile; neither of us saying anything. A boy with silver hair appeared ahead and bowed low when he finally noticed us. "Lord, princess." He murmured.

"Inuyasha, correct?" my father inquired of the boy who still stood bowed.

"Yes, milord." His reply was quick and short, what we expected of the all people.

"My daughter's new bodyguard, yes I remember now. Quite the fighter I hear." The boy continued to stand there saying nothing.

"You may rise, sir." My voice was soft since the idea had completely fled my father's mind. He stood straight and stared at me. Although he had just been with me only an hour before his look upon me was that of amazement and bewilderment. Then his eyes fell to the floor to stare at the cold stones, remembering his place. He murmured a small thanks as my father began to speak again.

"Follow us will you? You should always be by my daughter's side, no matter what she says to you. Understand?" He nodded and stepped behind us as we began to walk further down the hall.

I stole a few glances behind me to see him looking mindlessly at the walls around him. His eyes were like a pair of golden onyxes. The perfect shade brought out by his ever-flowing platinum hair. A smiled broke my stern lips as I gazed at him longer. Such a beautiful body he had. I shook my head furiously at the thoughts that came to me, I wasn't suppose to think that about my bodyguard.

Rule number 563: never develop an emotional attachment to the person who protects you or you are protecting. A sigh escaped from my lips as I thought of the rule never to be forgotten but could be broken.

My father led us into a room that radiated heat all around. "Close your eyes." He told me. I did as he told me with only moments hesitation. I heard a curtain being pulled away and say light through my eyelids. "Ok, you can open them again." I did so slowly and my breath caught as I looked at the scene before me.

The sun was setting making the already golden sands look rich in their color and the sky was a mixture of a wonder of colors. A smile broke across my face at the beautiful sight that was laid before me. "It's so wonderfully beautiful!" I exclaimed in a sigh.

There was a grunt from behind me and I looked back to see Inuyasha with his nose in the air looking off to the side. What's his problem, I thought. "So you like it, I see." I looked over to see a smile of satisfaction on his face. "You can have this room if you'd like." It was my turn to smile a great big smile.

"Thank you father!" I would have hugged him if I thought he'd appreciate it.

"You like it?" Kagome jumped, startled, at the sudden voice that came from behind her. Then she turned and was even more startled to see the stunning face of the boy from her dreams.

Moonlitshadows- yes, I wish I'd update sooner too, but I've been swamped with schoolwork and haven't found the time needed to write and think of a new chapter. I'm glad this update didn't take 3 months to get up. Only a month and 5 days!

still-star-4- I know, I now owe everyone a quick update. Once of these days you will get one. You just have to be patient until then.

(Hahaha! I'm done with the chapter finally! My fingers are so cold it's hard to type anything specially when your keyboard isn't working properly and is adding S's when you click the a and A's when you're pressing the s…it's very troublesome. Hope everyone liked this chapter. I won't remind you guys to update, because I know you all will anyway. So, what's the point of mentioning to review and tell me what you think?…See you next time.)