Seated impatiently on the outskirts of Woodfall, a young man stared off into the sky. For hours he waited, perched on a boulder in the wooded area, sheathed with his own sword, though he was not dressed for any battle. Soon, he knew that twilight would fall upon him, and if he waited any longer, he knew for sure he would find himself in a load of trouble.
An image of a beautiful woman with frightful eyes and hair as dark as any raven flooded through his mind, and the fact that he did not have her in reach irritated him to no end. How he could have made her his, but sadly fate had other plans on her mind, and she had to bring HIM there.
Anger flickered in those ever watchful eyes of his, and Sakon swore under his breath. The next meeting would not be so pleasant, and he would sooner die than live knowing that insolent child had made a fool out of him and still walked the earth without a care. Oh he would have his revenge that was certain. Different scenarios, each embracing an endless suffrage of pain conjured themselves into his mind, and Sakon smirked. There were more ways than one to inflict such torturous happenings on the ignorant brat, and he intended to use every possibility that arose.
His orders had been simple and direct, yet he wanted more than just something as petty as this. Sitting on the outskirts of a wooden area, he knew for certain they'd pass through at some point, though just waiting for long maddening hours irritated him. Why couldn't he go now, brandish his sword and finish it? Apparently rushing in wouldn't work, as he had been told previously before embarking on this task.
If he had never come across the dark one, the mysterious demon that hid itself behind a black cloak, then he knew he would have continued his life on the streets, mugging all the innocent folk in order to maintain his way of living. Instead, this demon appeared and promised him a deal in return for his services, which Sakon was wary of from the start, but upon learning that the promise involved all the worldly riches thought imaginable, he made his decision.
Why not? It wasn't as if he had promised his life, right? His help for the riches, and that wasn't such a bad deal to begin with; besides, Sakon was no amateur when it can to sin. Mostly all his life, he killed, raped and committed such treacherous misfortunes upon those around him, and never once did he regret his actions. Over the course of many years, and with his luck at stealing, he knew he was quite wealthy, and all his wealth resided inside his hideout where he knew no one would find him.
Although he now served his master, the mysterious hooded individual, he did not foresee the how malicious his intent had been, nor did he realize there was more to this person than what he first thought. For the first time in his life, he never thought he'd fear anyone other than the devil himself, but this being did. When put on the spot, a tremor of anxiety and terror would squeeze him with its cold hands. If a day did come when that hood was removed and his face revealed, then he knew for sure that he'd be killed on the spot.
These days, thanks to that demon, his reputation had risen, and the civilians of Clock Town, the sentries were on the lookout for his missing whereabouts. In the beginning he managed just fine hiding in the shadows and attacking, but even getting inside the town proved difficult for the thief.
In what seemed like an endless hour of tedious waiting, a form suddenly appeared over top the trees. From his line of vision, he saw the Takkuri weakly sail toward him, its wings flapping strange like. As soon as it landed, falling onto its torso in pain, he accessed it. The giant bird was injured and its wound badly deep, that it left the young man feeling enraged. To top that, it had arrived empty handed.
"Damn it! What the hell happened?! You were supposed to take the pendant!" He interrogated, to which the bird weakly squawked. This wasn't good at all. If his master found out…he could not carry out his mission successfully, then there'd be hell to pay. Maybe he'd never know, after all the mysterious one was hiding out in Clock Town, and there would be no reason he'd reveal himself in these surroundings.
Seeing as how the bird was completely worthless, he kicked the nearest rock next to him and muttered under his breath. Perhaps he could just go in and carry out the rest of the mission, and then once he retrieved the pendant, he would report back and explain in detail how it all played out.
Unbeknownst to the young man, a form hovered in the air behind him, its eyes taking in the sight of the fallen beast and the murmuring and fidgeting man pacing. "Pity…" The husky voice said.
Frightened, Sakon turned, and upon noticing the being of his fear, he lowered himself to his knees. However, he couldn't help but gulp when the piercing gaze of scarlet eyes gazed back, void of any emotion. "I-"
"You failed me for the second time…" The hooded individual said quite passively, shaking his head slightly.
Sakon gulped. "I swear it won't happen ag—"
"Your first task was to fetch me the Jewel, which you successfully handled well enough," He began, eyeing the cowering man before him. "However, your task in Ikana failed…and once again you fail me by showing up empty handed…"
He nodded. "Yes…master…but as you recall, you did manage to steal the pendant and—"
The cloaked individual raised his hand, and before Sakon could offer his apologies, a dark flame enwrapped itself around the fatigued and wounded bird, scorching it to the bone in a terrifying manner that left Sakon trembling in fear. "I have no use for failures…"
Watching as his pet fell to the ground in a pile of heaping ash, Sakon hesitantly looked into the eyes of the one who held life and death in his hands. "Please give me one more chance! I won't fail you again! I should have never let a bird do what a man could do better!" He pleaded, though the individual mused.
"Perhaps I made a mistake…allowing you, a worthless thief to do my bidding…"
The young man's eyes widened in alarm and he threw himself on the ground near the feet of the frightening man. "Please! Spare me! I won't fail you a third time!"
For a moment, scarlet eyes lingered on the hunched form of the trembling man, and he supposed there was some use left, though his patience was running quite thin. "If you fail me again…I will put an end to your existence."
"I-I understand!" Relief fell onto Sakon and he lowered his head to his Lord.
"This time…I want you to kill him…"
"Him?" Was he referring to…That boy? A smirk suddenly fell onto his face, and he couldn't help but think of the next encounter. This time he wouldn't fail.
OOO
After returning from a long day of visiting and touring, the gang arrived back to the house where Cremia and Sango were already making the table. The fresh aroma of baked bread, stew and boiled carrots left their stomachs growling.
A moment after the three arrived, the door opened, revealing Link, Romani, Pamela and Shippo, and they were all covered with dirt from head to toe except for little Serena of course. If any had to guess, they were probably out playing around, but seeing Link in the same predicament puzzled them, because they never knew the boy to play or get dirty for no reason.
While everyone else prepared to seat themselves at the table, Kagome couldn't help but approach Shippo by the door and examine him from head to foot. Noticing a small lump on the child's head, she felt her motherly protection flare. "Shippo? Your head, what happened?"
Shippo and Link exchanged a glance.
Realizing she had no need to ask, Kagome turned and pointedly glared at the half demon, seated at the table. "Inuyasha! What did you hit him for this time?"
Link flinched at the angered tone in her accusation, and he couldn't help but sorrowfully stare at the half demon. There was nothing worse than a mother's wrath when her child was hurt.
"I didn't touch him!" Hell he hadn't even seen the runt since they left the house, and already she was complaining.
Guiltily, Link lowered his head, surprising the priestess. "We were playing a game, and I went a little too far…I'm sorry."
"It was an accident!" Shippo exclaimed hurriedly, hoping Kagome wouldn't get furious at his friend. "It's nothing compared to what Inuyasha does!"
Inuyasha bristled at the comment. "Hey!"
Despite the fact that it had been an accident, and Link had come out and apologized, Kagome saw no need to get upset. "Since it was an accident and you were all playing, then I'll let it slide. Just promise to be more careful," She smiled at the two, who nodded.
"What the hell? You go off on me, but not Link?" Inuyasha exclaimed with annoyance. Goes to show whose side she took.
Not bothering to acknowledge him, Link took a seat across from the seething half demon and gazed at his full plate in front of him. Although it wasn't unnatural for Inuyasha to grow upset over something like this, Link didn't think he'd throw a tantrum over it.
"They were playing a game and he apologized. You strike Shippo on purpose," Kagome replied back, sitting in between Link and Shippo.
After washing up for dinner, Romani openly pouted when she realized she would not be sitting beside her friend 'grasshopper.' Since it seemed all the chairs were full, except for one, the little girl sat next to the half demon, her gaze flickering to the blonde across from her; he was sitting next to that girl, Kagome, the one Serena mentioned would probably grow upset if Romani had kissed him. What was their relationship? As far as she could tell, this woman, as well as her other companions were quite strange and they wore the strangest clothing she ever thought imaginable. What made Kagome so special in Link's eyes?
"Oh, that's right," Kagome suddenly remembered. "Cremia, Grog wanted me to thank you for the lunch."
The owner, seated at the head of the table smiled. "I'm glad. Did he look well?"
The priestess nodded as she poured herself a drink of milk from the jug in front of her. "Yes. He looks pretty good. I kept him company for a while."
Deciding against joining the conversation, Inuyasha slowly ate his food, though he couldn't help but quietly stare at Link, who was busily chewing the meaty stew, his eyes closed nonchalantly.
"So I presume your tour went well?" Cremia asked.
Near the end of the table, seated beside the slayer, Miroku nodded. "Yes it did. Right Inuyasha?"
Swallowing his food, Inuyasha shrugged. "Whatever."
Noticing the half demon's silence, Cremia couldn't help but let her eyes linger on him for a few moments. There he was again, staring at the boy and then the girl; sure she wasn't a novice when it came to these things, but she knew jealousy when she saw it, and Inuyasha was definitely jealous. "Are you always this moody Inuyasha?" She teased, earning his and everyone's attention at the table.
"What?"
"I said," She began, but Inuyasha interrupted.
"I heard what you said, and it's none of your business. So leave me alone." He munched on his food harshly, earning glares from all sides of the table.
The owner laughed. "You're the kind of guy who doesn't care what anyone thinks, and you're not afraid to say what's on your mind. I like you."
Inuyasha nearly choked on his food, and Miroku, who was concerned for his friend patted him on the back soothingly. "Y-you…what?!"
"Inuyasha, please!" Kagome shook her head. "Don't talk with your mouth full."
Also present at the table, Serena couldn't help but notice the tinge of red appear on the half demon's face, and she openly laughed at the sight. "Look, he's blushing!"
"I am not!" He slammed his hand on the table, though his face only reddened with embarrassment when everyone stared at him, even Link. What the heck? He just met this red head and already she was comfortable enough to announce it to the entire table? This woman was quite forward, and he wasn't used to that. "What do you mean? We don't know each other and—" He sputtered, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Wiping a tear from eye, Cremia shook her head. "You sure do liven things up around here, that's for sure. And I was only kidding."
Attempting to regain his composure, Inuyasha took his spoon, but he couldn't help but glare at Link, who was silently staring at him expressionlessly. "What are you looking at?"
Not bothering to answer, Link returned back to his food. For some reason, he had a feeling Inuyasha was glaring at him more these days, and he could only assume it was because of his long stay within the group, and probably because he was pulling his weight around during battle. Still, after all Link went through to help his companions, was he still not thought an ally among the half demon? What had Link done to earn such hatred?
From time to time, during her meal, Romani couldn't help but glance at the boy seated across from her, quietly eating and oblivious to her staring. There was something she wanted to tell him, but right now would not be the best moment. "Link," She suddenly called, earning the youth's sudden attention. When his eyes locked with hers, she blushed and fiddled with her hair shyly. "Would you pass the milk?"
Without a word, Link reached over for the clear jug sitting in between him and Kagome at the table, but the moment his hand touched the smooth surface, his fingers accidentally brushed across a certain female's hand, earning a blush from both individuals. Awkwardly, Link removed his hand from Kagome's as she placed the container in front of the red head.
Feeling her heart pound quite loudly, the priestess couldn't understand why she was behaving this way around Link. This wasn't the first time of course; Last night, she had boldly kissed his cheek and had felt this warm sensation tickling her emotions since. Could it be possible she was crushing on the boy? Did she honestly like him as more than just a friend? Just being near him made her heart pound, and she knew for certain that she was blushing.
Romani was boiling in jealously. There was definitely something happening between the two that she was already suspicious about. From her line of vision, Kagome was awkwardly eating her carrots, her face the same deep shade of red as Link's, and Link didn't look any better either.
Although it was clear that Romani was upset, but so, too was a certain silver haired individual. Only just recently Link had become a member of their group, and it seemed Kagome had gotten over Inuyasha for good, even if he hated admitting it; it was as clear as day. Did she honestly like Link or was Inuyasha misunderstanding something here?
Sango took a bite of the freshly baked bread, savoring the honey sweet flavor. An unsettling silence forced her to look away from her meal and beside her where she saw a seething half demon glaring accusingly at Link, who was too immersed in his own thoughts to notice. 'What's the matter with him?' Leaning in closer to Miroku, who was strangely grinning from ear to ear, she nudged his arm. "What's Inuyasha so upset about? He's been glaring at Link for some time now," She whispered.
Inuyasha continued to gruffly eat his food, though his ears couldn't help but perk in the direction of the slayer and monk. What were they gossiping about?
Well if Sango couldn't see it, then Miroku definitely did. Only just recently he realized the boy's infatuation with his dear friend, and it wasn't surprising at all, considering Kagome's charming beauty. "I believe spring has come early this year…"
Sango blinked. "But it's summer. Fall is a long ways off…" She was clearly not reading into his comment.
The monk couldn't help but sweat drop. "I believe there are two love birds fluttering about…" Perhaps this meaning would capture her attention and direct her gaze to the pair seated across their silver haired friend.
Casually sitting upon the table in front of Link's plate, little fairy Serena snickered. "Yeah, there's a little one with black feathers and one with gold feathers with a stupid green hat!" Serena looked at Link. "But he's not wearing it now…I wonder why…"
While he was in the middle of his drink, Link swallowed too quickly and found himself coughing suddenly. Kagome of course was completely oblivious to the entire conversation, and she couldn't help but look at her four friends suspiciously.
From Miroku's comment on love birds to Serena's teasing's of Link, Sango shifted her attention to Inuyasha, who at the moment was grasping his glass tightly, and curious, Sango saw the object of his strange behavior and that was the interactions between priestess and young swordsman. Currently, she witnessed her friend patting the blonde's back, and his face, which was already slightly red, darken suddenly to what she assumed was embarrassment. To her knowledge, Kagome hadn't mentioned a word about her and Link, and she doubted they were together. Perhaps their friendship was simply misunderstood, and leave it to Miroku to jump to conclusions too early. Though judging by Inuyasha's behavior, perhaps he was jealous of their closeness, and Sango didn't blame him for getting upset, after all, these days her female friend barely said a word to him, but that was to be expected after all.
"Can't you feel the tension, my dear Sango?" Miroku asked while innocently yet mischievously rubbing her upper thigh, but as his hand traced the curvature of her attire, he couldn't help but painfully cry out in displeasure when her long nails pinched his skin upon his lecherous hand.
"I feel something, but it's not tension."
He smirked suddenly. "Sango…you should keep your hands to yourself…we're among children," He voiced aloud, and Sango blushed.
All eyes questionably turned to Sango and Miroku, and she was so mortified that she couldn't help but glare at him. Even Inuyasha was staring with his mouth agape, with a few pieces of food falling out.
"You perverted monk! You're the one touching me!"
Miroku didn't deny it; however his smirk remained firmly in place. "Yes, but it is your hand that's roaming underneath the table…Look, it's still there!" He lifted his hand from under the oak tabletop, revealing Sango's nails pinching his skin still.
She slapped his hand away, and for revenge upon her embarrassment among her friends and new acquaintances, she stomped on his foot, earning a cry of pain from the monk, but she didn't care; he deserved it. Couldn't he for once keep his hands and sick comments to himself for a change?
"Idiot…" Shippo and Serena said in unison. Upon realizing they had said it at the same time; they laughed, and very soon after, so did the rest of the table.
OOO
Shortly after supper, Sango had offered her assistance to Romani with the dishes, and while the two busied themselves, Miroku and Cremia sat at the table discussing Pamela's stay further, though out of earshot from Romani who was still too young to comprehend the situation. Currently, Pamela had gone to her room upstairs with Kirara, retiring to bed early, and as for Kagome, she had disappeared from the house the moment she cleared her plate.
Standing outside the house, leaning against the fence where Epona quietly chomped on the grass, Link and Shippo quietly conversed with one another. During Shippo's questions regarding how he met Romani and new so much about the bird that attempted to kidnap her, Link couldn't help but let his eyes stare past the child. Upon the hill, some distance away from the house, a certain raven haired girl sat all alone, and Link wondered why that was.
"Do you like her?" Shippo asked from his place on the fence.
Blushing, Link awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. How intuitive of the lad. Link supposed it wasn't too surprising that Shippo managed to figure it out, especially during the time back on Great Bay, where he had nearly tricked him with his transformation of Kagome. When did he figure it out? "How—"
"Because you're always staring at her," He replied.
Link's shoulders dropped and he sighed. So that's how it was. "She's…important to me, and I hate seeing her hurt…"
There was nothing for him to get shy about, and it was natural to have such feelings. The only problem right now was Inuyasha, because believe it or not, Shippo knew the half demon still cared for Kagome, though it seemed more possessive than anything, even if he hardly showed it. Considering though, that Kagome was spending less time with him, and focusing more of her attention on Link, it appeared to Shippo that there might be a chance of a mutual relationship. "She's not just my friend…She's my mother," He muttered, staring in the direction of the seated faraway priestess, who's eyes stared at the sunset.
"I've been meaning to question you about that for some time…" Link replied hesitantly. "You say she is your mother…but…"
Shippo immediately looked back at his friend, realizing he never explained anything about his parents. "You see, my father was murdered some time back, and it was Kagome and Inuyasha who found me. I've been with them and everyone else for so long and I've always looked up to Kagome, as if she were my real mom…"
Link nodded in understanding.
"I never knew my mom," Shippo said. When he grew older, he remembered his father telling him that his mom was in a better place, and that she still loved him, no matter how far away she was. He hoped a day would never come when Kagome would leave him.
"I never knew my mom either…or my father," Link suddenly explained, earning Shippo's attention instantly.
Emerald eyes stared at him. Back in Ikana, the child remembered when Link explained that he had never knew his family, and it had been so surprising to hear that he couldn't help but wonder why. Had he been orphaned? What happened to his parents?
It was the truth. During his quest to save Hyrule, he returned to his childhood home as an adult, and the Deku Sprout had told him of his past. It was a day Link would never forget. "During the Hylian Civil War, when I was still a baby, my mother fled for the Lost Woods…she died protecting my life," Link replied, silently scratching his cheek as he leaned against the fence and stared at the darkening sky overhead. "All my life, I knew I was different from my friends…I never had a fairy and I was constantly looked down upon. I really don't have a place to return to, so…that's why I wander the land."
A frown overtook the child and he couldn't imagine the kind of pain Link endured; it was nothing compared to his story. Link never had the love a parent could offer him, and he probably spent his childhood alone and scared. Not only that, but he was looked down upon because he was different. Shippo understood that, because he remembered Link telling him the story of the Kokiri, the children who never aged and dwelled in the Lost Woods.
"What about your dad? Did you ever find him?" The tyke asked, but Link only shook his head.
"I learned that my father served as a knight…but he died during the war." During his seven yearlong sleep in the Temple of Time, after he managed to pull the Master Sword from the pedestal, Rauru, the Sage of Light informed him that he had been born into a house that was responsible for guarding the King of Hyrule. His father was said to be a high ranking knight who gave his life to protect his family and his majesty and all of Hyrule. At the time, while he waited seven long years to awaken, Link mused how Rauru knew so much of his family, but then again, he didn't question.
Shippo frowned. "Are you lonely?" Sure he was asking a lot of questions, but he needed to know more about his friend. So far, this was the most he revealed about his past, but seeing Link's dejected countenance, Shippo felt badly for even mentioning anything.
"Sometimes…" He replied. "But I'm used to it." Sighing, Link removed himself from the fence, and stared off toward the hillside where Kagome still sat, alone. Gazing down at the silent child, Link ruffled his hair softly, to which Shippo couldn't help but laugh. "If you have any other questions, perhaps we can talk later?"
Shippo nodded. "Are you going to sit with Kagome?"
"Yes, if she doesn't mind, that is," He replied a little uneasily as Shippo stared for the longest moment.
"She won't. This is the happiest she's been since you joined our group," He explained with a smile, and he hoped it would encourage the boy, but he only offered a small smile.
Thankful for that, Link felt his nervousness drift away and he nodded his goodbye to Shippo, who hopped off the fence and retreated inside the house. However, they had not been the only one's present who heard the entire conversation.
Every word spoken and every crestfallen sigh uttered, Inuyasha heard it. Silently he listened from atop the roof of the house, and upon learning Link's personal history, regarding his lack of parents and his inability to fit in and cope with his environment, he felt disheartened. In a way, he supposed he wasn't any different from Link than when he first perceived; he was a boy who was lonely at times and didn't belong because of his difference.
Remorsefully his shoulders slumped, and he felt disgusted with himself. Their first meeting had ended on the wrong foot and only deteriorated downhill from there. Over the course of these two weeks, he treated Link ignorantly and judged him too early before getting the chance to know him better. Link wasn't repulsive, and he didn't deserve to be treated so.
His golden gaze flickered to the youthful boy and silently, he watched his companion as he made to join the priestess sitting off by herself, before lowering his head shamefully.
OOO
Once a few feet away from the girl, with her back turned to him on the grassy hill, Link stood next to her, and when she flashed him her smile, he sat beside her. So transfixed were her eyes to the sky, Link pondered what was going through her thoughts. From where he sat, he watched the sun slowly descend over the towering trees of the woods beyond them, and how the sky slowly darkened in its veil of approaching night.
From the corner of his eye, he silently observed her, and before he could ask why she was sitting alone, she suddenly gasped, and he wondered what startled her. To his relief, she was still staring up into the sky, her eyes wide and her mouth curved into a bright grin.
"A shooting star! Quick, make a wish!"
While she bent her head, her hands grasped in front of her and her lashes brushing across her cheek delicately, Link's gaze shifted to the stars above, and he frowned. How oddly familiar this setting seemed. Alone on a ranch, sitting beside a nice friend left Link reminiscing the time he spoke of his wish with Malon back on Lon Lon Ranch some years back. During that time, his dream had been to see the world, and even now, as he searched the lights above him, he couldn't fathom what to wish for. The only parts of the world he'd seen were Hyrule and Termina and nothing else. Did he want to see more? Link wasn't sure.
For now, Link was content with his surroundings, and sure he had wishes buried deep inside his heart, but he still wouldn't know what to wish for, and he knew for a fact that he couldn't rely on those wishes because Link knew he would no doubt bring about more grief into his life. Not wishing and not hoping for anything was for the best and it was less painful that way.
Opening her eyes and satisfied with herself, Kagome finally positioned herself toward Link, who was quietly staring at the stars expressionlessly. There was that look in his eyes again, the look he seemed to always carry with him when he was in deep thought. "What did you wish for?"
"Nothing," Was his only reply, and he gazed at her.
This surprised the school girl, but she didn't bother questioning him and asking why he hadn't; she was sure he had his reasons. "They say that if you make a wish on a shooting star, that wish will someday come true."
Link merely arched a brow at this, but it wasn't as if she was entirely wrong or right on that statement. In actuality it seemed almost absurd to rely on a star to grant one's desires, no matter how hard a person wished for it to happen, however that did not mean it couldn't happen. Years back, when he lived within the sanctuary of his forest home, he had longed for a different and better way of life, and he never would he have ever believed that his dreams would come true, but they did, only in a way he hadn't expected. Sometimes, even laying claim to a star to grant your hopes did not necessarily mean you would be allowed that desire; you had to do something in order to achieve that dream; Link knew from experience.
Even when he failed to reply back, Kagome's smile did not falter, and she turned her stare to the sky once again. "Back home, it's pretty rare to see stars like these, let alone two."
"Why is that?"
"Well," She began, and she remembered how the lights in Tokyo made it impossible to see the night sky so clearly. How would she explain to Link about a city? "I grew up in a big town, and since there are so many buildings, and lots of lanterns lit at night, it's difficult to see the stars, let alone shooting stars," Kagome explained with a weak laugh. "Not to mention half the time it's too cloudy to see anything."
"I see."
Raising her legs up to meet her chest, Kagome wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head, while still staring at Link beside her, quietly content with his surroundings. "It's been a long time since arriving here that I've been able to stare at the stars without any real worries. Life here is so quiet and peaceful…"
That was true. Life on a ranch was never truly dull, and the view from the hillside emphasized the beauty. As he leaned back on his hands, Link closed his eyes, his ears tuning in to the soft chirpings of the crickets and he felt the gentle breeze brush past him. If Link had to decide on a place to settle, it would probably be someplace quiet, without any noise. Honestly, Link wasn't much of a people person, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy others and their good conversations, but he rather enjoyed his time alone breathing in the fresh air and living in an environment similar to the one he used to have back in his old land.
"When I was little, I always felt like there was magic in those shooting stars," Kagome suddenly said, earning the boy beside her's attention. "I know it might sound childish," She laughed.
"Not at all," Link replied. There was nothing childish about it. "Did your wishes come true?"
She nodded. "Yes…but only twice." Kagome remembered when she was still in her first year of middle school, how she had wanted something amazing to happen in her life, something exciting, and it happened. By some bizarre incident, and because of the Shikon Jewel residing in her body at the time, she was transported back 500 years into the Warring States Era, and her life from then to now had been nothing but exciting. As for her second wish, she wanted Inuyasha to remain a half demon, and so far, her wish remained true, but it wouldn't be official until after Naraku was defeated and the Jewel of Four Souls was destroyed for the good of humanity.
The only wishes that never came true were her selfish ones. For instance, when she was a child, she had wanted her father to come back to her, but he never did. The only wishes that could be made were the ones that were realistic and not imaginative; that was what her mother had told her years ago. Though even after that, Kagome wondered how falling back in time would run under the category of exciting and realistic. Still, she was glad.
"Believe it or not, my life wasn't as exciting as it is today," She explained suddenly. "I lived each day, daydreaming, wishing for something better to happen, and I never thought anything would…My life changed when I fell though the well on my family's shrine on my fifteenth birthday, and I'm not the least bit disappointed," She smiled. "I made some amazing friends." Kagome spared telling Link the rest, because he already knew some of what happened afterward.
Link nodded. "I understand. I was the same way," He smiled back.
Although Link mentioned he that didn't make a wish, Kagome was still curious. Naturally everyone wanted something in life, even if it seemed so far out of reach. "Are there any wishes you wish could happen?"
Good question. After the events in Termina came to an end, and there was no possible way of returning or changing the past to save Hyrule, Link often wondered what would become of his life. Since he couldn't very well search for his old companion in a different world, knowing she wasn't likely there, Link was at a loss. Link yearned for something, but he never knew what that 'something' was. He felt he could easily just reach out and touch the ends of a wish so real and inviting, and yet at the same time so far away. Whatever it was, Link still pondered about it, and with each passing day, he feared it would slip away for good.
The only answer Link could offer her was a small one, and even he wasn't satisfied with it. "I'm not sure."
Kagome mused for a moment. "Well…did you ever make a wish and later on it came true?" To her relief, he nodded.
"Yeah, two actually..." When he noticed her intense stare toward him, he looked up to the sky. "My first wish was to have a fairy, just like all the children of the forest…"
"The Kokiri?" She questioned.
Somewhat surprised that she had remembered, he canted his head to the side. "Navi was assigned to me on my tenth year, but after some time together, she left me," He replied.
"She left? Why?"
Because he possessed one of the Triforce crests, his life was endangered, and because he was too young to understand the harsh reality of the situation, Navi was entrusted in teaching him of the world and its many dangers. However, in Link's own personal opinion, Navi had been much more than just an instructor; she had been a dear friend who eased his loneliness and brought light into his cloudy life.
"Link?"
Snapping from his reverie, he offered her a sad smile. He didn't mean to get lost in old memories. "Sorry. I suppose she left because she wasn't needed any longer…"
Now she understood. Back in his land, she was there to help him on his quest to save the world, Hyrule, and after he saved it, she said her goodbyes and left him. 'Those two must have been through a lot together…I bet he still misses her.'
He sighed and pushed his bangs away from his eyes. "If I could wish for anything, it would be to thank her."
"I'm sure she knows," She replied with a comforting smile. "Maybe you'll see her again someday."
Somehow, Link didn't quite believe that, in fact, how could he? Hyrule, the land he once knew, and the people he once cared for were gone. Now he was trapped in Termina, where he knew there was no Navi. Why was that? Because he saw and inspected every inch of the land, that's why. Link guessed the only counterpart, somewhat similar to Navi was Tatl, a young fairy he met four years ago and said goodbye to.
Realizing he had forgotten to speak his reason for joining her tonight, he looked upon Kagome with a baffled expression, and as he searched her averted gaze, he saw something of sadness in her brown eyes. "Why are you sitting here alone?"
Despite her suddenly solemnity, she grinned. "I guess I just needed some time to think. So much has happened in the course of two weeks, but it feels like it's been longer than that…" A frown suddenly formed on her countenance and she lowered her legs into the grass and leaned back on her hands, just as Link, though her eyes were settled on the stars once again.
Without even having to think about it, Link knew what was going on in her mind. "Don't worry…I'm sure you'll see your family again."
"I know…" Noticing movement from beside her, Kagome watched as the youth rubbed his hand, as if he was in slight pain, and she suddenly sat up. "Does it still hurt?"
"Huh?" Link blinked.
"You hand? Does it still hurt where you were burned back in Great Bay?" She asked, leaning closer to examine his bandaged wound.
Realizing she was referring to his left hand and not his right, Link shook his head. No he was not in pain; it was just a habit he had at times, when he remembered certain things. "It's nothing."
Scooting closer, she grasped his hand in her own, suddenly surprising Link though she didn't seem to notice. "Let me see. I can try and heal it agai—"
Ever so calmly, Link removed his hand from her own and placed it beside him in his nonchalant manner, earning a confused stare from the girl next to him. "No amount of magic can erase the pain…The scar is everlasting," Link replied, baffling her even more.
There it was again. Back on Great Bay, she remembered him saying something along the lines of 'It's something that cannot be healed,' and he had been firm on hiding his hand. If Kagome had to guess, it wasn't a scar from the acidic waters. Whatever it was that was beneath those bandages, it puzzled her. Perhaps Link didn't trust her yet to share his burden?
From her prolonged stare, Link didn't regret what he was about to do next, as it didn't seem as important during their first meeting. Link remembered showing Shippo the crest, and he guessed Kagome had a right just like all the others. Ever so slowly, Link hooked his finger under the loose end of the white fabric and as it loosened, he removed it, revealing three golden triangles upon the surface of his left hand.
Immediately after discovering what finally lied beneath those wrappings, Kagome recognized the three golden triangles; The emblem was interestingly similar to the symbol in the Great Fairy's Fountain back in Clock Town, and that wasn't the only place she saw it. When Link had emptied his satchel early that morning, Kagome found a letter written by Zelda, a friend of his back in Hyrule, and upon the parchment were the same triangles as before. "Could this be…the…Triforce?" She remembered Link telling her a brief story about the powerful object created by the three Goddesses back at the Laundry Pool in town. But was it the same one? Why did he have it?
Kagome frowned deeply. Link said the emblem was a scar, something that could not be healed and could not erase the pain he possibly felt in his heart. From what she could see, it was engraved on his skin, and she wondered if it was something like a birthmark. Could this mark on his hand be the reason why he was destined to save the land of Hyrule? Was Link in pain? Did the Triforce marked on his hand really contain such bad memories? "Does it really bring you pain?"
Looking away from her intent gaze, he slowly nodded. For that moment, Link refrained from speaking any further about the crest, and instead, rewrapped the bandages. There were so many memories buried inside his heart that he wanted to openly share with the priestess, but he couldn't find the words to say anything, for fear he might subconsciously relive those moments. Right now, he would keep thoughts buried.
OOO
After speaking with Cremia inside the house, regarding Pamela and her stay on the ranch, the owner went about her own things, explaining she'd prepare a room for them to sleep in that night.
Since most of their friends were missing from sight, Sango and Miroku exited the house and searched around the ranch. Serena and Link were nowhere to be seen, and there was no sight of Inuyasha or Shippo.
"I wonder where they ran off to," Sango replied with a slight yawn and she covered her mouth politely.
Off in the distance, Miroku spotted two figures seated some distance off from where they stood in front of the house, but it was much too dark to differentiate the figures of their friends. "I spot two over there," He replied.
Curious, they followed after the two, suspecting to find Kagome and Inuyasha sitting alone together, like they sometimes normally did during the night when they thought no one was eavesdropping, but instead, they did not find Inuyasha alone with Kagome, instead it was Link.
This was indeed interesting to the two, especially Miroku who already had a suspicion. "I wonder what's happening here…" He grinned.
"What?" Sango softly asked.
Partially hidden by the leaves of a few shrubs, some feet away from the couple sitting and conversing, a familiar tail stuck out, and Miroku and Sango exchanged knowing looks.
Miroku bent down and gently tugged on the child's tail, who in turn gasped and shuffled out of the leaves, staring questionably and nearly flabbergasted at the two of his friends standing beside him. "May I ask why you're spying on Kagome and Link?" He asked.
Nervous, Shippo awkwardly rubbed his neck, a habit he suddenly developed after watching Link a few times during their travels. "Um…I…"
Peering over top the leaves, Miroku looked closely at his two companions, with their backs turned to them. Noticing the close proximity between the two, he rubbed his chin and mused to himself. "Those two sure are getting along well…wouldn't you agree Sango? It's just as I said before."
"About those two?" There couldn't be anything more than friendship developing between them, could there? Upon noticing that Miroku had made himself comfortable beside Shippo, Sango bent down and frowned. "You shouldn't do this…"
He smirked. "What's your reason? Don't tell me you aren't the least big curious? Besides, it's not like we haven't listened in on Kagome and Inuyasha's conversations before." What harm could a little spying do?
Miroku did have a point, but still this didn't set well for the slayer; she never enjoyed spying. Still, after hearing Miroku mention that love was in the air and witnessing the interactions between Kagome and Link, maybe there was something there, but then again, it could all just be a misunderstanding.
Upon hearing the conversation pick up after a sudden silence between the two, Shippo hurriedly shushed his friends and the three leaned in closer to watch the scene unfold.
OOO
After some time pondering, there were some questions on Link's mind that he had been meaning to ask Kagome about, and since it seemed they were out of earshot from the others, he figured now would be a good time than any. "Can I ask you something, Kagome?"
"Sure."
"The beads around Inuyasha's neck…what significance do they hold?"
Kagome didn't understand what he was talking about. "The beads of subjugation?"
He nodded. "I noticed you have command over the powers that possess the necklace…how is that and why?"
Now this was something Kagome hadn't expected to hear from Link, but it was alright. Maybe she had forgotten to tell him earlier, and she guessed it was no wonder the question probably weighed on his mind for so long. "When I first met Inuyasha, remember how I mentioned that he had wanted to hurt me for the jewel?"
Link nodded. "Yes."
"Well since I hardly knew him at the time and he was determined to go to any lengths to get it, Kaede, the head priestess of the village we often stayed in during our travels, was the one who placed the beads of subjugation around his neck."
So if that was the case, then Link already understood. The necklace was placed on Inuyasha so that they could keep him under control so as not to cause any harm or ill intent for selfish reasons. "I understand. But why must he still wear it? Do you not trust him still or…"
A blush formed on her cheeks. Well she hadn't really given that much thought to the beads around Inuyasha's neck. Of course there wasn't any real reason to keep Inuyasha under the spell; after all she did trust him. In the past, Kagome remembered when the beads were broken due to a malevolent sword that contained hellish powers. It was during that time that she felt something of a connection was severed that day between her and Inuyasha. Though he never ran off after that occurrence, he had remained faithful to her and her friends.
"To be honest…at first, I relied on the beads to keep him under close watch, because I only just met him and he was still adamant on obtaining the jewel. But, as time went on, it became much more than that…" Kagome trailed off.
Much more? Judging by the thoughtful expression graced on her face, Link felt a tightening in his chest. What did she mean?
"I feel that the beads act as a bond between Inuyasha and I," She replied, to which Link slowly nodded. "They hold memories of our meeting, I think. Don't get me wrong…I do trust him. I trust him with my life. Inuyasha is very important to me." If there ever came a day when the beads were taken off for good, then that connection between them both wouldn't be the same. "Sometimes, he can get a little out of hand and say things and do things he shouldn't, and as his friend, I find myself looking out for him."
That made sense.
Forgetting the seriousness of the beads, Kagome couldn't help but lean in closer to the boy, who couldn't help but blush at the close proximity. "Now it's my turn to ask you a question," She grinned, and at this Link blinked. "So you, Pamela and Shippo were playing a game with Romani? What kind of game?"
Link nodded, scratching his cheek. "Yeah…" This was a topic he really didn't feel like talking about, especially because it embarrassed him since it was after all a game for children, and Link was well past that age.
"So? What kind of game was it?"
Link sweat dropped. "Uh…" How could he tell her it was a game called, 'Save the Princess'? Surely she'd laugh, because the idea of him agreeing to such a game was absurd. Still he did join in, only because Romani had taken the pendant. "Well…it's not like I wanted to play…"
"What do you mean?" She asked, noticing how he suddenly appeared awkward and embarrassed to which she couldn't help but smile. 'He's blushing…'
"Um…Romani wanted to play a game, and telling her no is unacceptable," Link explained. "The game involved her acting out the part of a damsel in distress and…" Link swore the blush on his face darkened when Kagome leaned in closer, her smile suddenly wider than before and her eyes glistening in the night. From the way she was acting, he guessed she was really interested in knowing.
"Don't stop there. Tell me what it was about," She laughed.
Guess there was no use in avoiding this topic. "W-well Shippo wanted to be the villain who kept Romani locked up and I was her knight…Pamela fought on my side against Shippo and well…I'm sure you know the outcome."
While trying to imagine the events play out in her head, Kagome couldn't help but aw to herself, furthering Link's blush. "That is so sweet, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about," Kagome explained. Somehow, she guessed Link was pleased with playing the part of a hero, and she wondered why. For some reason, Kagome couldn't imagine Link as the type to partake in a princess game, but the fact that he had was quite funny.
"I-I guess…" He awkwardly ran his fingers through his blonde locks, sheepishly staring at the grass beside him. There he was again, stuttering and blushing around her.
As she sat there thinking about the game, a sudden thought popped into the priestess's head and she suddenly found herself trying to hold back her laughter. Of course she failed miserably when her shoulders trembled and she held her belly achingly.
It was so unexpected that Link couldn't fathom the situation. "What's so funny?" He asked.
Difficult at first to speak her mind, Kagome wiped away the tears from her eyes and attempted to compose herself, or else she knew she'd bust out into another fit of giggles, but she failed miserably as more escaped her. Kagome had no idea why her thoughts suddenly brought up the events that played out during the Cultural Festival in her time; that day had been so random and unusual that it made her laugh in remembrance of all the silly happenings.
After regaining her composure, Kagome held back her laughter and turned to Link. "I was thinking of a play I did in middle school a while back during the Cultural Festival," She replied, baffling Link further. "What you said sort of reminded me of it."
Hearing her speak of things in her homeland, Link mused to himself. So Kagome was in a play back in her world? The words 'Middle School' baffled him, and he wondered if she was a person of high standing who was well educated. "What's a Cultural Festival and Middle School?"
Torn away from her musings of the play, Kagome realized Link probably didn't have a clue as to what she was talking about. Of course he wouldn't know what a Cultural Festival was, but school? "Right now I'm in my 9th year of Middle School." Since this was all new to Link, judging by his perplexed expression, Kagome went on to explain. First off, she explained that in her Era, all children, including young adults were required to attend school by law, and it wasn't only in favor of the rich. Kagome went on to further explain that many graduated students went to college, a school which broadened their learning environment and helped them aspire to reach better jobs in the future, to which astounded Link further.
Understanding, Link pressed on to his next question. "And a Cultural Festival? I'm assuming you have one at school?"
Kagome nodded. "Yeah. Every year, one of the grades is in charge of handling the preparations for it. For instance, a group handles the lunch so that families and friends who arrive can enjoy themselves, while others put on entertainment of their own, like choirs, plays and so forth." One of the great benefits of having a festival at school was that it cancelled afternoon classes.
Now that he had that figured out, Link was curious to figure out what was so funny about the play that had Kagome laughing moments ago. "So…you performed in a play?" While he sat there observing her, Link couldn't think of Kagome as the type that would perform in the theatrical arts, but then again that didn't mean she couldn't.
Nearly forgetting all about it, she quickly nodded. "The play was a romantic one, and I got the lead. I was playing the part of this princess called Escargot Pudding."
Link blinked. "…Escargot…Pudding?" In the name of the three Goddesses, what kind of name was that?
"Well, to be honest the play didn't go as expected, so I ended up skipping past all of the important dialogue and to the part where I was supposed to marry Pierre Penacotta," She explained. Some way or other, her friends had partnered her character up with Hojo's, and it wasn't surprising. Of course it hadn't been intentional; after all, one of the actresses playing the main lead had gotten injured, so it was up to Kagome to take charge. "My friend Hojo played that part."
Hojo's part was one of the main leads, Pierre Penacotta, the man whom Escargot Pudding loved and wished to marry, even though her family wanted her to reconsider other marriageable possibilities.
"So what happened that was so funny?" Link asked, noticing her thoughtful expression.
The priestess smiled and leaned back as she reminisced the time back at the Cultural Festival. "Well everything was going well until Inuyasha crashed through the ceiling of the auditorium," She explained, and Link couldn't help but stare at her. "I guess when he saw Hojo and I trying to embrace each other, he got suspicious and the next thing I know, Inuyasha was now an actor," She laughed.
"He did not realize you were in the middle of a play?"
She shook her head. "No. He was out doing his own thing, like locating demons that got loose in my world," This was where things got interesting. "Turns out there was a demon underneath the stage."
"What happened?"
Honestly, what happened next had scared her, because she was afraid the students at her school would figure out her secret, that Inuyasha was a half demon and that a real living demon was inside the school, but thankfully no one knew. "Turns out Inuyasha turned on Hojo and the next thing I know, Hojo was trying to fight for my hand in marriage and Inuyasha hadn't a clue as to what was happening." She recalled that scene briefly. "So, to make it seem like this was all part of the play, I told Hojo that Inuyasha was my secret lover and that Hojo should save himself before…" Kagome giggled to herself suddenly. "Hannabart Pekopon…"
"Hannabart…Pekopon?" Link voiced, baffled by all the strange names Kagome mentioned. What on earth kind of play was she in at the time?
She nodded, still smiling. "Yeah, I called Inuyasha that on the spur of the moment," She explained. "Inuyasha had no idea what was happening and he thought I had bumped my head or something. He never realized this was all made up and just an act."
Link supposed he understood that much. So there were things even Inuyasha didn't know about Kagome's world. The play did sound interesting, and quite different than the one he used to play in back in Kokiri Forest years ago.
"So the demon showed up, and Hojo and Inuyasha…well mostly Inuyasha destroyed the real demon, and he ended up destroying more of the ceiling with his Windscar," She explained. "That was the lightening attack he used on that monster when we first met in the forest."
That was both good and not good. Inuyasha had literally used the power of his sword and destroyed a demon in sight of hundreds of students? Link guessed there wasn't much he could do given the circumstances. Still it was awfully risky.
"After that…there was a long silence." It was no doubt either, because just the strong blast from his Windscar must have shocked everyone, especially when they saw the wooden debris fall onto the stage and the sky was suddenly viewable. "I did the only thing I could think of, and that was to end the play that very moment."
"What did you?" Link found himself suddenly immersed in her story, and it was quite entertaining as he sat there imagining the scene, as if it were happening right in front of him.
Feeling bold, Kagome decided to demonstrate exactly what she did, using Link as a substitute since Inuyasha wasn't around. Grasping his sleeve, Kagome stared deeply into Link's eyes, to which he couldn't help but blush. "Let's go Pekapon! Please take me away now, while we still have the chance!" She exclaimed quite dramatically.
When she suddenly released her hold on his sleeve, Link watched her quite intently. All the while, he found her quite amusing and he couldn't help hold back a chuckle. At first her story seemed a little strange, but as he listened on, he found it quite exciting.
Already Kagome clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes sparkling as she stared up into the sky. "Lead me away beyond the sky!" She pointed, and as she tried to keep on a serious façade, she found she couldn't and instead giggled. "I then had him carry me on his back and he flew into the sky as I delivered my final speech," She finished before leaning back and smiling at Link.
From Link's point of view, when Kagome mentioned that Inuyasha had carried her away on his back, he imagined Inuyasha on all fours, with Kagome waving her goodbyes as she delievered her final speech the audience, as Inuyasha took to the skies. All in all, the entire thought brought a smile to his face.
Oblivious to his musings, Kagome spoke the last speech she had while she was whisked away. "Farewell everyone. And rejoice in the knowledge that I, Escargot Pudding will be freed from all my worldly burdens and will live happily ever after. Farewell." She exclaimed, while waving like a Miss American Contestant.
In that moment,even though the breeze had cooled off and the soft blades of grass did tickle their bare skin, that something happened. The boy, whom she had started to understand bit by bit, trying to unravel the mystery he kept secret, the boy who had kept his words locked tightly upon their first encounter, had suddenly dropped his indifferent countenance, allowing a placid smile to grace his lips and a cheeriness to sweep over his countenance. For that one moment, Link's shoulders shook and he threw his head back with childlike laughter, of one he remembered long ago, in a time when there was nothing to hide from in the world, nothing to fear, and nothing to regret.
Kagome stared, her mouth parted slightly and her brown eyes looking upon Link as he laughed beside her, holding his stomach with his one hand while the other neglected at his side. This was something new. This was a side of Link that she'd never seen before, and she wouldn't say that she disliked it, but in fact, she found it quite heart-warming and she too couldn't resist not laughing along.
There was something nice about sharing your story with someone. Link wasn't a stranger, but he was a companion. Lying there beside him, Kagome felt at ease and although it might seem selfish of her to think, she felt as if she belonged there, just the two of them, lying together side by side looking up at the stars above. The atmosphere was peaceful and there was something quite laid back about the ranch; it felt so homely, and for a moment, her thoughts of her homeland vanished and she closed her eyes in contentment. Oh how she would like to just remain there, if only for a little longer, but she knew that in the morning, they'd have to rise early and set off once more, this time to the Swamp Lands.
Overcome by such ease, Link couldn't help but let his eyes wander to the girl beside him. With her eyes closed, he silently observed her. Her long dark lashes brushed across her unblemished, rosy cheeks, and he couldn't help but find his eyes transfixed to her lips, which were turned up slightly in a smile and at this, he couldn't help but smile to himself. Still, he wondered why it was so easy to open up to her. It'd been four years since he last laughed so much, that it surprised him. Perhaps meeting these people wasn't as bad as he first thought…
For some time, he often pondered why he kept his feelings at bay, and why at first he had turned a blind eye to her and her friends, to the world even. No, he knew why; but his reasons perhaps, weren't as logical as he had thought previously. After his world collapsed right before him, and all he knew had been a lie, he turned his back and departed into solitude. A Hero of Time, a title he'd been called during his youthful years was nothing but a memory, a long forgotten reminder of his past, but the past still followed him.
Link's sat up and rested his left hand upon his knee, the same hand which bore the emblem of his fate; it was covered in bandages so that he might not have to look upon the golden triangles and remember the faces of those he once knew and loved; it was painful after his victory in Termina. Unable to return to his demolished home, he realized how entirely alone he was, without Navi, without a loved one, without a place to truly call home.
He served his time as the hero of legend. His task had been fulfilled, but in disaster it ended. Now, he was but a fleeting memory of the past, and now it was his time to move forward. Link knew he couldn't simply wander for the rest of his life; he needed to settle down and become his own person. When all is said and done with the quest he now embarked on with these people, he would do just that; he would put down his sword and shield and settle in the land of Termina; he'd given it some thought.
Pulling herself off her elbows, the priestess noticed his gaze linger on his bandaged hand, and curious, she leaned in toward him. "What are you thinking about?"
Still smiling, Link gazed into the young girl's eyes. Honestly, he was thinking so many things, but he realized it was time to let go and move forward, if for his sake alone. "Nothing," He replied while softly staring into the young girl's eyes.
A cluster of shooting stars through the night sky, their golden light streaming behind them in cosmic dust, and its magic was so intense, that it broke the trance Kagome and Link shared, and they watched the shower for what seemed like endless moments, each caught up in their own thoughts regarding their future.
OOO
Still somewhat let down and bothered, Inuyasha remained in the same spot for what seemed like half an hour, sulking. From his line of sight, he saw the way Kagome and Link were getting along, and though his hearing was capable of reaching long distances, he couldn't help but not catch their conversation. They were getting along well, and Kagome was certainly enjoying herself.
Inuyasha sighed.
Unexpectedly, a head popped up on the other side of the roof in which he sat, and he fell back in surprise, staring agape when he saw a familiar full grown red head staring up at him smiling as she ascended the small ladder.
"Hiya! What are you doing up here?" Cremia asked. The owner balanced herself on the roof before sitting beside the young man.
Regaining his previous composure, Inuyasha sat Indian style, his elbow propped upon his knee and his head rested in his hand in a bored manner. All the while his eyes were partially closed and he refrained from opening up to the woman. "No reason."
"You sure like sitting in high places, don't you?" She laughed, to which Inuyasha 'keh'ed.'
Inuyasha eyed her suspiciously. "What are you doing up here?"
Well for the most part, it was her house, but she wasn't about to tell him that. Instead she merely held her hand over her eyes and peered toward the hill where his two companions sat side by side. "Same reason you are, spying on your friends!" She joked, and this did not amuse the half demon.
"I'm not spying!" He spat, but he suddenly lowered his head. There he was yet again, expressing his anger on someone who didn't deserve it. Fed up and against apologizing, Inuyasha turned his back toward her. "It's nothing."
Guilty of even mentioning such a hurtful comment, Cremia sighed. "I didn't mean it like that," She replied, but Inuyasha wasn't about to be coerced into talking. There was more than just 'nothing' happening on her roof, and judging by his sulking and irritable attitude, she knew it concerned two certain friends of his. Unrequited love…Cremia knew that feeling all too well.
Rather than admit she already knew the truth, and to avoid him the discomfort and humility, she leaned back, her gaze staring at the falling stars. "I once loved this man a few years back. Actually, I grew up with him and we were really good friends."
Inuyasha turned his head and listened to her, not understanding where she was getting at.
Cremia weakly laughed. "Turns out he had eyes for someone else…my best friend. I got mad and said things I didn't mean, and she and I ended up not talking for a long time," She replied, rethinking back to the days she and Anju were young and in love. Back then, Kafei was the heart throb of Clock Town, and he was the Mayor's son. "But you know…"
Inuyasha's ears twitched suddenly, and he couldn't help but look away from the girl. Somehow, he knew she was trying to cheer him up, and help him look past his negative thoughts, but he wasn't sure if it was working.
"I was happy for those two, and I realized our fights were silly," She admitted, before smiling at the young man beside her, whose back still faced her, but she knew he was listening. "I'm happy for them both." Hugging her knees, she rested her head and closed her eyes. Although the years passed since their wedding, Cremia eventually got over the young man her heart once throbbed for. Now she was free, just like her ranch, but that didn't mean her love had to come to an end. "Eventually I fell in love with another…but I'm not even sure he realizes though…I'm sure he only sees me as a friend…"
All this time, whether he chose to believe it or not, he knew that he had pushed Kagome away, hurt her feelings and stepped on her emotions, not to mention criticizing and looking down upon his newest companion, Link. How could he simply apologize without sounding vain?
OOO
Not at all oblivious to the two happenings on the hill side, Romani settled herself against the small fence in front of her house. Silently petting Epona's mane, her thoughts burned with jealousy as she watched the interaction between Kagome and Link.
Early afternoon's events flashed through her memory, and she recalled a certain pink fairy intruding upon hers and Link's intimate moment in the unfinished windmill during their game. Serena appeared almost out of nowhere playfully teasing Link about a certain raven haired girl's jealousy, thus ruining the moment she had attempted to kindle with her knight.
"It's not what it looks like!" She heard Link's voice echo through her head.
Saddened and somewhat unnerved that another had stolen her opportunity to talk with the boy whom she secretly admired, Romani huffily turned he back to the cozy twosome and a flipped of her scarlet hair over her shoulder as she entered into the silent house.