So How many of you are mad at Kagome? Some of you if I guessed from the reviews. I'm not sorry. So last Chapter was titled Looming Sunset. Basic meaning of a sunset is the ending of a day. What comes before night. My own special interpretation, especially from literature, is a sunset is the end but also the beginning. The beauty of the colors is fleeting, only meant to last for a moment before it's overshadowed by darkness. When something considerate is lost you find yourself in darkness. Sometimes before things get better they must get worse. And that's what I intend and hope I can portray in my story.
Thank you all and sorry for this long intro. Without further ado I bring you chapter 42
Chapter 42: After
Kagome trekked slowly down the path to the village. She stopped once she cleared the forest and looked back. The immense guilt welled up inside as she realized the inu wasn't following her. "Stupid Kagome." She muttered to herself. He was trying to comfort her and she return it with harsh words. Even though she knew that- even though her heart begged her to turn back, her feet kept heading toward the village. She lost her home and now, she probably lost the trust of the daiyoukai. She wanted to blame him. Ask him how he could ever believe she didn't care about her friends here... but even she would doubt it. Especially in the way she behaved. She knew that now. She stopped again, almost hoping- praying the inu would be behind her. But she knew better. She knew he wouldn't be there. She couldn't feel his presence. She wouldn't blame him if he didn't come back. She felt bitter and tired.
As she got closer to Kaede's, she heard the small cries of Mizuki. Then it dawned on her. It was night. She had a child, an infant to take care of. How could she mope and feel sorry for herself? Really, what the hell was she thinking? Picking up the pace, she hurried inside and immediately took the pup from her friend. Not focusing on the others for a bit she sat with her back to them and started feeding the little inu. "I am so sorry."
"Kagome-" Sango sighed looking at the girl. Her eyes were puffy and her faced was covered in dirt and tears. Sighing again she hugged the little miko from behind. "Are you okay now?"
"No." She said a bit too quickly. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
"Stop apologizing. We get it. You were hurting." Inuyasha commented, scratching his head to rid the awkwardness. He looked away and confusedly stared at the door. "Hey. Not that I care or anything but- where is Sesshomaru?"
"Nm," Kagome sniffled as the heavy guilt returned. She glance toward the sleeping body of Rin, for once glad those little brown eyes weren't looking her way. "I'm a horrible friend."
"Would you stop that." Inuyasha grunted.
"But it's true. He tried to comfort me but I said something I shouldn't have. Then I outright told him to leave me alone. He's still out there I think."
"What did you say?" Sango asked.
The little miko shook her head in response. "Can we talk about it tomorrow?"
"There's a lot we have to talk about, you realize that?" Inuyasha replied.
"Yeah." Kagome whispered. She stayed silent for a moment until the pup finished feeding. Once the young inu fell asleep, Kagome allowed herself to turn and face her companions.
Save the two children asleep by the fire-pit, all eyes were on her. Kaede moved from her spot to grab a bowl of whatever stew was on the fire. She handed the bowl to the young girl. "Eat this child. It'll make you feel better."
Sighing quietly, Kagome laid Mizuki in her lap and took the bowl from Kaede. She didn't feel like eating but knew she had to. Stirring the contents of the bowl, she slowly started to eat. With each mouthful of food her heart felt heavier and heavier. The thought of her family came back into her mind almost at once. By the time she finished eating she realized the tears were falling again. Not bothering to wipe the tears away, she placed the bowl down and laid on the spot. Curling around Mizuki, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Sango covered the young miko and sighed. "So, what do we do now?" She asked looking at Inuyasha.
The hanyou scratched the top of his head. "We have no choice but to send her back with Sesshomaru."
"Are you sure?" Miroku questioned looking at the hanyou's expression.
"Like I said. No choice." Inuyasha sighed and rubbed his face. "I can't help thinking how devastated her family will feel. They won't know the reason why. They'll grow old thinking the worse happened."
"Maybe there's a way to repair the well." Kikyo commented.
"It's a possibility we can look into." Miroku agreed. "Kaede, do you know a way?"
"Nay," the old miko responded with a sigh of her own. "I know not how the well was made nor of the magic it possessed."
"Why is that not a surprised." Inuyasha muttered. "Sorry Kaede. I think we should rest. This can wait until morning."
The rest of the inu-taichi agreed. Each settled in for the night, and soon the old house was quiet. Once everyone's breathing evened out, a certain little fox began to stir. He sat up and looked around at his companions before his eyes settled on his sleeping mother. Quietly crawling towards her he stared at her sleeping face. He wiped the tear stains from her cheeks, place a small kiss on her temple and stood up. On his tip toes he inched his way to the door.
"And where are you going?"
The kit practically bit his tongue to keep from yelling out in fright. Turning his head quickly he was face with the questioning look from Inuyasha. "I- uh, I was going for a walk."
"In the middle of the night." Inuyasha stated sarcastically.
"I can't have fresh air?" Shippo asked keeping his cool.
"Shippo, Have you been awake this whole time?"
"Maybe. I was worried about okaa-san."
The hanyou sighed and shook his head.
"It's just a walk. Not like anything's dangerous out there."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because Lord Sesshomaru is still out there." Shippo stated confidently.
The look on Inuyasha's face was of surprise and curiosity. When did the little fox become close enough to his half brother to put that much faith in him? He can remember a time when they were afraid of the inu lord. Sighing again he didn't know how to respond. "Just don't stay out too long."
The kitsune smiled at him. "I won't. Thanks Inuyasha." With that he walked out the hut and made his way to the well. There was something bothering him. And if he's learned anything from his friends it was to always trust your instincts. When he got to the clearing he surveyed the area. "Lord Sesshomaru isn't here." He mumbled to himself.
Scouting the area he made note of the shattered well. The earth was scorched where the well once laid. He stepped in and out the area, investigating every burnt wood shard. After a while he sat down, absently picking the loose dirt in his hands. Something was off. Something he couldn't see but knew was there. The young kit sighed and stared up at the sky. The moon had already passed the full cycle but still shone brightly in the night.
The distant rustling of leaves brought his attention to the trees. They stood tall against the night sky even with some tree tops broken off. He guessed the storm didn't do much damage in the area if most of them were unscathed. That's when the realization hit him. The trees were practically untouched.
He had to make sure. Make sure he wasn't jumping to conclusion. He needed the tallest place to observe the entire area. Dashing into the woods he found the tree he was looking for and began to climb. When he got to the top he scanned every tree he could including the very one he was perched on. Viewing the untouched land he couldn't help but bounce on the spot. "I knew It!"
"Kit, your voice is too loud for the night."
Shippo paused and looked below him. On the other side of the tree, sitting against the trunk, was Sesshomaru. Excited to see the western lord, he hopped down and landed beside the inu. "Lord Sesshomaru! You're still here."
"Do I have a reason not to be?"
"Uh- no. It's just you didn't come back with okaa-san."
The inu was silent for a while. "How is she?"
"Well, she was crying. But she ate before going to sleep."
Sesshomaru nodded his head in response. "And what are you doing up kit?"
"I-uh. Well-" Shippo scratched the top of his head. "I needed to do some investigating."
"Investigating," Sesshomaru repeated. "And what, pray tell, were you investigating?"
"The well."
The daiyoukai fell silent again and gave the kit a curious look. Did this young one know something he and the others missed. Granted they were all concerned about Kagome so their minds weren't focused on the well.
For a moment Shippo thought the inu would send him back to the village. He was almost afraid for his theory to be dismissed. What he wasn't expecting was the gently pressure of the western lord's hand on his head.
"Tell me what you know, Shippo" Sesshomaru said.
Shippo instantly beamed up at the inu. "Really?!"
The older youkai gave him a single nod.
Still smiling, the young kitsune began explaining. "I went to the well because something just didn't feel right about the situation. I couldn't put my finger on it until I noticed the trees. The only damage to some were from the winds, see." He pointed to the tops of the surrounding trees, whose branches were bent and broken. "But there was no lightning damage. If the was a lightning storm it should have hit a few trees. Instead only the well was damaged. And - well, when I first met okaa-san I was getting revenge on the demons known as the Thunder Brothers. They could control and use lightning. So, I was thinking-"
"The well was destroyed by a demon." Sesshomaru finished his sentence. The youkai was impressed the young kit thought about it so thoroughly, but now he was anxious. Another obnoxious feeling to add to his list. He stood up and headed for the ruined field, slowing his pace slightly for the young boy behind him. Standing in the middle of the charred earth, he gathered a handful of dirt and inspected it. "If it was a demon, any scent or aura from it has long since washed away."
"Oh. I didn't think of that," Shippo commented disappointingly. "I really wanted to find out who or what did it."
The inu stepped closer to the kitsune and rested a comforting hand on his head. It was the usual gesture he would show Rin when she was feeling upset, so the act came natural for him. "You did well."
"Thanks," Shippo replied with a smile back on his face. He stifle a yawn after a while and couldn't help rubbing his eyes.
"You should go back and sleep."
"Will you walk me back?" He asked the inu with another tired yawn.
"Hn. I will follow."
"Okay," Shippo turned away and started down the path to the village. Sesshomaru followed slowly, his gaze shifting to the burnt area briefly. There was only one demon he knew that attacked with lightning but at a time like this it was best for him not to assume things. Yet, his instincts was telling him he was right. Putting the thought in the back of his mind he kept an eye on the sleepy kit in front of him. It was almost amusing to see the boy sneak glances at the inu to be sure the he was still following. It was a strange warming sensation that the child admired him so.
The silence between them as they traveled back was comforting. And even with a million questions forming in his head, Shippo preferred not to ask them. The inu-youkai kept a watchful eye around them as they made their way out the forest and unto the long path to the village.
"Are we going to go back to your home?" Shippo asked stopping before the village entrance.
"It depends on the others." Sesshomaru said quietly. "It is as much your home as it is mine. You are always welcome there. Besides, it'll be cruel of me to take away Hayate's favorite student."
Shippo smile widen as he laughed lightly. "But I'm his only student."
"Exactly. Now come. You need rest."
Shippo nodded, to happy to say anything, and resume his way into the village. Once by Kaede's hut he went inside bidding the inu good night. Sesshomaru leaned against the wall outside and sat down. It was only a few seconds before Inuyasha stepped out to join him. At first the hanyou just stared at him silently trying to read his expressionless face. Then the hanyou opted for looking at the stars. All the while, the inu lord kept his eyes closed and breathing even.
"You have something to say to me Inuyasha."
"I might." Inuyasha responded. "What happened between you and Kagome?"
"Did she not tell you," The inu questioned, giving the hanyou his full attention.
"Not in detail. She didn't want to talk about it tonight."
"Then why are you asking me?"
"Because I'm worried about her." Inuyasha stated defensively. When the inu didn't reply, Inuyasha huffed in frustration and got up. "Right, fine. Forget it. I don't even know why I expected you to say anything."
Sesshomaru just watched as the hanyou walked back inside. He had nothing to say. Rather he didn't feel like saying anything. Alone again, his thoughts started to roam free. The little miko was at the moment emotionally unstable. While part of his brain told him this is why humans were difficult to deal with. The other was focused on her. Every part of her. Her disheveled form crying on the ground. The tear stains on her cheek. The pain in her eyes as she walked away from him.
He didn't know how he should deal with the situation in the morning. How he should act around her. He ran his hand over his head in slight frustration. The night was too long and it left him with too much time to think.
The morning came and a young inu pup began to stir. She wiggled in the arms of her mother before whimpering. When was the last time she felt the strong youki? The soft pelt she snuggled in? The whimpering increased to small cries, and her mother began to stir.
"Mizuki, it's okay." Kagome got up with the pup in hand. "Shh, shh." She likely rocked the pup and tried to feed her. Try being the keyword as the pup refused to be fed. Instead the little inu began to cry more.
"What's wrong with her?" Inuyasha asked sitting next to her. By now the rest of the occupants were awake and groggy. "She ain't hungry?"
"She won't eat. I don't know what's wrong." Kagome said quietly as she patted the inu's back. The pup started to squirm and cry harder in her arms. Kagome had never seen her so upset before.
An arm reached around her and plucked the pup out of her arms gently. Kagome stilled when she saw the white sleeve of the inu lord. She slowly looked up to him as he settled the small pup in his arm. Immediately, the pup quieted down, and her crying became little coos.
She had forgotten. For that moment she had forgotten Mizuki needed Sesshomaru as much as she needed her. She let out a small sigh. The feelings from last night bubbled it's way to the surface and she found herself lost for words. Should she apologize? Should she thank him? She wouldn't know where to start so, she stayed silent.
The others were staring at the inu lord as he turned to sit against the wall. The baby inu happily cuddling her face into his pelt.
"Why does she calmed down in your presence?" Inuyasha asked curiously.
"She needs strong youki to balance out her mother's reiki." Sesshomaru stated.
"It's more than that." A small voice chimed in quickly. Everyone turned their attention to Kagome but she had her back to them. She didn't know what possessed her to speak out. "It's more than the youki. She knows you. You're her-" The miko paused, not sure how to continue. The silence starting to become deafening.
Sango cleared her throat and stood up. "I think breakfast is in order. Come help me," She gestured for Kagome to follow. She did, all the while avoiding the gaze of the inu. She didn't want to look into those golden irises just yet. Not until she figure a proper way to apologize. It seemed that's all she did to the inu. Apologized after every stupid mistake.
I AM SORRY! This was not suppose to take so long to post. I have had a rollercoaster of a year and just ugh. November was hell, december no better. SO here. 3000 words to make up for it. The next chapter will be up within 2 weeks. So enjoy.