4/ 15/ 06
Chapter 9 of the Inuyasha fanfiction with Sailor Moon powers
Note: The song for this chapter is "Prayer". Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and/or songs used in this story. All characters not created by me are the property of their original authors or artists. All songs are the property of the original writers and/or artists. Thank you. Credited authors/artists: Takahashi Rumiko, Takeuchi Naoko, and Tamaki Nami. P.S. –The one character I do own is Tsubaki; Tsubaki is my creation and does not belong to any of the accredited artists above. Okay? She's mine. --;;;
CHAPTER NINE: IN WHICH THE GREAT BATTLE BEGINS
Kizuite ita honto no kimochi wo tsutaeruno ga totemo kowakatta
Iezuni ita hitokoto wo ima suguni kimi e todoketai
"Say WHAT!" Sango screamed. Unfortunately for Tsubaki, Sango was right by her ear and heard every frequency in Sango's tone.
"I'm sorry…," Tsubaki mumbled. She turned to leave, but Miroku caught her arm.
"You're our daughter? From the future!" The monk closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
Nakidashisoona yuugure nadame nagara tsuyokunaru kaze no naka de
mada tachtsukushiteru
"How did you get here, then?" Kagome inquired, breaking the tension a little.
"The Bone Eater's well," Tsubaki replied, looking down at the ground.
"What do you mean? Wha- How- What happens in our lives in the future?" Inuyasha asked.
Afuresoona hitonami dakedo ki ga tsukeba kimi no senaka tada sagashiteta
Tsubaki gazed at the half-demon. "I'm afraid I can't tell you much."
"Why not?" Inuyasha asked angrily. "Because you're lying?"
Totsuzen ima hitotsubu no yuki ga watashi no kono hoho ni ochite kita
Hiraite mita tenohira de hakanaku toketeiku kieteiku
"No," she quickly stated. "It's just- If I tell you too much, it would seriously impact the future, and I can't do anything that could jeopardize the life I have there."
"Then why are you here?" Miroku asked.
Kumo ni kakureta shiroi tsuki ga fuanna kokoro terashiteru
Yami ni kasunda michi no saki no dokoka ni kitto kimi ga iru
An ill silence fell over the large group. Tsubaki bit her lip, wishing that things had not turned out like this. Just my luck… she thought. "Look," she said, slightly tearfully, "what I will tell you is that if I hadn't intervened when I did, Mom- Sango would've gotten seriously injured and died in the future when I was only six. So… now you know why I had to come back."
Itsumo ki no au nakama to hashaidetemo
Dokoka chiisana kodoku wo mune ni dakishimeteta
"Then, doesn't that mean that you're job here is done?" Shippo stated.
"Not entirely," Tsubaki muttered. "But there's one thing I must be a part of before I go."
Tsuburesoona mainichi kujikesoona toki mo kimi no yasashisa wa soko ni aru
"What's your one thing?" Kirara inquired.
Imagoro kitto hitotsubu no yuki ga kimi no sono hoho nimo ochirudaro
Nobashitemita kono ude ga imasugu sono hoho ni todoku yooni
"I must be a part of Mom and Dad's wedding."
"A wedding? My, it has been a while since this village has seen such an occasion, but I suppose I could summon up enough strength to perform the marriage ceremony just for the both of ye." Lady Kaede smiled and stood to calm down the boiling cauldron of water which was over the small fire.
"Then it's set. Sango and Miroku are to be married!" Kagome joyfully exclaimed. "Now, Sango, you see, there's a lot more that you're gonna need for your wedding, such as…" Kagome pulled Sango away from the rest of the group and began telling the bride-to-be her long list of wedding details.
Anotoki kaketa nagareboshi ga watashi no negai kiiteita
Hanare-banareno futari no te wo inoru mitaini kasanetai
"A wedding? I've never seen a wedding. I wonder what happens," Kirara thought aloud. Shippo did another sideways glance in Kirara's direction and turned away quickly when she caught him staring at her, but she said nothing.
I really hope Kagome wasn't right about my situation with Kirara, Shippo thought; he sighed. I really did dig a hole for myself…
"You know, Shippo," Kirara began -Shippo faced her and vice versa. "I'm not mad at you for not saying anything when I told you I love you, but," -Kirara's gaze shifted towards the ground- "it did hurt…, but I know you may not fell that way, so, if we could just talk like old times like friends, I would feel a lot better." Kirara's eyes met Shippo's and he noticed that she was crying. "I'm sorry if I put you under any type of pressure," she continued, not looking away, "but I have no regrets about letting you know how I feel." And then she walked away.
Kizuite ita honto no kimochi wo tsutaeruno ga totemo kowakatta
Iezuni ita hitokoto wo ima suguni kimi eto todoketai
"Ouch…," Shippo mumbled to himself. That's gonna leave a mark, and it's all because I can't think when I'm around her… Shippo blinked. I can't think when I'm around her! Shippo laughed uncomfortably to himself. That almost sounds as if I… The fox-demon placed a hand on his chin, lost in thought. "Maybe I'm reading too much into this…" Or maybe I do love her… Shippo shook his head, hoping to take his mind off Kirara, but it was no use. Kirara was in his head, and possibly in his heart.
Totsuzen ima hitotsubu no yuki ga watashi no kono hoho ni ochite kita
Hiraite mita tenohira de hakanaku toketeiku kieteiku
It was evening now of the next day, and the group was dispersed all over the village, each assigned with some task to take care of. Kagome and Sango were looking at cloth for Sango's white kimono, Inuyasha tagged along with Miroku to help him find the right ceremonial robes, Shippo and Kirara were scanning each food stand to check of the ingredients they would need to make the meal for after the wedding, and Tsubaki and Kuroro were helping Lady Kaede buy the incense and decorations for the wedding, such as the flowers.
GROUP #1: Kagome and Sango
Kagome (K): So, are you ready to try on your kimono yet?
Sango (S): Yes… I just can't believe this is happening already, you know? I mean, I've always wished for this, but it's so strange that it's coming true now…
K: But you're happy right?
S: Of course I am! I'm just so glad Miroku's all mine now!
K: Someone's gushing…
GROUP #2: Inuyasha and Miroku
Inuyasha (I): Why did you have to drag me along?
Miroku (M): You should seize the opportunity to see what robes you'll have to wear for your and Kagome's wedding, you know.
I: You're kidding, right? I want to have one of those weddings that they do in Kagome's world.
M: So you've thought about it?
I: Not really… It's just -those weddings look so much easier and…
M: So you do plan on marrying Kagome. That's good news!
I: Why, I oughta…
GROUP #3: Kirara and Shippo
Kirara (KI): Will you just stop apologizing and look for the right ingredients!
Shippo (SH): But I am sorry for what happened! I just want you to know that! And I just wish you'd forgive me!
KI: I've heard you, Shippo! And I do forgive you, you big lunkhead. It's you that doesn't forgive you! You know, you care way too much about what I think. I'm beginning to think that maybe you like me back.
SH: (So do I…)
GROUP #4: Tsubaki, Kuroro, and Lady Kaede
Lady Kaede (LK): Tell me, child, what plagues ye so badly?
Tsubaki (T): Nothing much, Lady Kaede. I just feel like maybe I really shouldn't be here.
LK: I think that is what some of the others are thinking because they just met ye, but do ye really think that?
T: You know, I'm not so sure I really do. I appreciate your guidance, Lady Kaede.
LK: Any time, child. Any time…
LATER THAT NIGHT
Shippo was outside on the hill near Lady Kaede's house when he heard something from nearby rustle. "You can stop hiding, Inuyasha," he stated, eyes closed and slightly annoyed.
The half-demon jumped from a tree close by and landed on all fours right beside Shippo. "Why're you so down in the dumps?" he asked impolitely.
"Why do you care?" the fox-demon retorted. He turned his head away from Inuyasha and gazed at the stars.
"Because I wanna know what's going on in that empty head of yours," Inuyasha replied.
Shippo's face turned sour as he faced Inuyasha, who got the chills just looking at him. The fox-demon sighed. "It's Kirara…"
"Oh, yeah. I was wondering if there was something going on between you two. Care to share the details?"
"There's nothing really going on between us, or so I thought. You see, when she transformed yesterday, I felt like I was meeting her for the first time, but then she told me she loved me. I was shocked to hear that and didn't say anything, but I guess I just ended up hurting her feelings." Shippo sighed again and let his head hang low.
"You got that right," Inuyasha stated. "That doesn't really surprise me, though."
"What doesn't surprise you?" Shippo inquired crossly.
"That part about Kirara loving you and all. Since our little group formed years ago, you and her were the youngest, so you kind of developed a bond. You were also the only one to ever spend a lot of time with Kirara, including Sango, so it's just no surprise to me that she would've developed feelings for you. My question is, did you develop feelings for her?"
Shippo thought for a moment. "I don't really know, Inuyasha. I never really thought of Kirara that way, but I guess that was before I knew she was really a human."
"Well," Inuyasha interrupted, "you mean 'before you found out that she had a human figure'."
"Yeah, same difference. It's just… I don't know!"
"Let me ask you this: what do you think of Kirara?"
Silence fell over the fox-demon as he became lost deep in thought. Finally, he muttered, "She has always been the one who would listen to me when you guys wouldn't. I always felt that she was the only one who could really understand me, as well, so of course I care about her and…" Shippo faded off. I especially can't get her off my mind! Maybe I should at least lighten up a bit when I'm around her; that would probably be the thing that would make her the happiest right now. Shippo jumped to his feet and grinned at Inuyasha.
"What're you so happy about?" Inuyasha asked, slightly puzzled.
"Thanks, Inuyasha!" Shippo hollered as he ran back to Lady Kaede's house, already planning how he would tell Kirara his big news.
THE NEXT MORNING
"Hey, have any of you seen Kirara?" Shippo asked as he entered the kitchen. Sango, Kagome, Lady Kaede, and Tsubaki were all at some different part of the kitchen, each cooking various things all at once.
"Sorry. What did you say, Shippo?" Sango asked.
"Not now, Shippo. We're a little busy, as you can see," Tsubaki stated.
"We can't really do anything for you right now, Shippo, so if you could just skedaddle, it would be much appreciated. Bye now!" Kagome said, ushering the fox-demon out of the kitchen while at the same time mixing some cake mix from her own time.
"That didn't help much…," Shippo uttered to himself as he exited the kitchen and then the house. He turned and headed towards the village. Kirara, where are you?
IN THE VILLAGE
"Ah! Kirara!" Shippo was going to approach the girl, but he shrank back out of sight when he saw another guy with her. Who the heck is that! Shippo irritably thought. He gritted his teeth as he watched them converse.
"So, are you alone or with someone?" the guy asked Kirara, who was obviously squeamish.
"Uh, actually…," Kirara started, but she hesitated to continue when the guy grabbed her wrist. "Hey, you're hurting me…"
"You don't really mind, do you?"
"In fact, she does, shithead." Shippo had come out of his hiding place and had placed one hand on Kirara's hip, pulling her close to him. "And she also is with someone, so why don't you back off, okay?"
"Whatever…," the guy mumbled. He walked off, but not without shooting Shippo multiple glares.
"How the heck did you get yourself into that situation?" Shippo asked Kirara, looking after the guy to make sure he wasn't going to come back. He turned back to Kirara, who was beaming up at him. "What?"
"That was awfully nice of you, Shippo," she commented teasingly.
"Well, you're obviously not his type," he quickly stated.
"Oh? How's that?"
"You do have two tails," he pointed out. Kirara did a little turn and saw her two tails that she regularly had when she was a little cat-demon.
"And so you're right," Kirara stated. "But here's what I want to know: were you following me?"
"No! I just wanted to talk to you and couldn't find you so…" Shippo froze.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Not really talk to, but more like tell…" Kirara gave Shippo the blankest look he would probably ever see, but he continued. "Kirara, I was doing a lot of thinking, or at least trying to, because you're kinda stuck inside my head. You're all I can think about, and I wasn't really sure why." The girl cupped her hands around her mouth as Shippo went on. "I thought to myself, at first, that maybe I did love you back, but I was determined to find another answer. Then, last night, when I was chatting with Inuyasha, I realized one thing: you have been the only one really there for me, and… I kinda wish that you stay that way, now until god knows when. I love you, Kirara."
Little tears peeked out of Kirara's eyes as she embraced Shippo tightly. "Oh, Shippo! I can't tell you how much I've always wanted to hear that! I was half sure that you weren't going to return my feelings, and I would've been okay with that, but this is the best thing that could've happened to me! I'm just so happy!"
"Uh, Kirara? I know you're happy and all, but you're choking me!" Kirara let go of Shippo's neck and laughed at him as they enjoyed a walk home, which was not at all what it should've been.
"Shippo, something doesn't sit right with me," Kirara whispered as they walked past an old oak on the path to Inuyasha and Kagome's house. Autumn had been there only for a little while, and winter was bringing its early frosts with the end of fall. Small snowflakes swayed back and forth before touching the ground and dissolving; it was still too warm for the snow and it would have trouble accumulating at the moment.
"What do you mean?" Shippo asked, leaning in to hear Kirara's response since she was attached to his arm at the current time.
"I think… I think we're being watched," she finally stated after a few minutes. "Look behind you."
Out of the corner of his eye, the fox-demon caught a glimpse of a silhouette that was approaching them fast. Shit! Shippo thought. It must be Kikyou again! Picking up Kirara by her waist, Shippo quickly explained. "Looks like we're in for a good fight tonight!"
Bypassing many village folk on their way to Inuyasha and Kagome's house, Shippo was hoping to get there in time. If only…
"Shippo! What's wrong!" Miroku called. Lucky for Shippo and Kirara, Miroku had been out in the yard when he saw them.
Stopping dead in front of him and putting Kirara on solid ground, the fox-demon caught his breath. "We're pretty sure Kikyou was chasing us," he started, but he wouldn't be able to finish. Kikyou showed up literally right on Kagome and Inuyasha's front step.
"Get out here, Inuyasha!" Kikyou screeched.
With all of the din happening, the others of course rushed out of the house. "Inuyasha! It's Kikyou!" Kagome stated breathlessly.
"Damn! Get ready, old hag!" the half-demon motioned to Lady Kaede, shoving her back inside the house.
"Please! Let me help!" Tsubaki stated when she came running out of the house, Kuroro following her closely behind.
"Forget it! I don't need help from the likes of you!" Inuyasha leapt into the air and came crashing down in front of the priestess, who had jumped out of the way. "You're gonna regret this, Kikyou…" he muttered under his breath, teeth gritted.
"Quite the opposite," she cackled. At once, the priestess's body started glowing with a mysterious maroon aura. "It's you who shall regret this, Inuyasha!" Kikyou lifted her hands and aimed them at Inuyasha, who couldn't move out of the way.
Oh, crap! Inuyasha thought to himself. The priestess's hands came crashing down, but Inuyasha felt nothing. Opening one eye, he saw that Kikyou had stopped half-way above his head, but he noticed that the aura around her hands was fading, like the power had been shot from it. Then it hit Inuyasha. No…
Kumo ni kakureta shiroi tsuki ga fuanna kokoro terashiteru
Yami ni kasunda michi no saki no dokoka ni kitto kimi ga iru
"Kagome!" Sango screeched. She and Kirara ran to where Kagome had fallen. Kirara held Kagome's limp body in her arms as she and Sango wept silently.
Inuyasha turned back to Kikyou. "DAMN YOU!" he screamed, tears falling swiftly from his eyes as he began to thrash his claws around the priestess.
"What's wrong, Inuyasha?" Kikyou asked teasingly. "Did I do something bad?"
"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!"
"It'll take more than that to defeat me, Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha gnawed at one of his fingers. "BLADES OF BLOOD!" This time, it worked.
"Kuroro! Let's get her!" came a voice from behind Inuyasha.
Goddammit! Inuyasha thought. She'll get herself killed!
"I don't think so, little girl!" the priestess chuckled hysterically.
SLASH!
Hello! How did you like it? Yes? No? Maybe so? Oh, well… Just remember to give me a review, okay, my loyal fans? And tell your friends about me, too! Thank you to all who read my fanfics; I couldn't be happier! - I'm sorry about Kagome and Tsubaki, but you don't know what happened to them yet, so keep reading! Thanks! 3 P.S. -Don't you agree that it seems like Kikyou could really be this crazy, even if she wasn't possessed by Nephrenia?