The Eternal Bond, Trust ch12
Author's Notes: Hey this is my latest update, and it's getting to the end. I always love to write the endings, because they are just scenes of fluff one after the other. Oh, and I also realized that for the two years I have been on fanfiction, for some strange psychotic reason my borders have not been appearing when I post my chapters. So, if you are ever confused by my stories because they randomly switch to a different scene, don't blame me. It's the damn border's fault.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, or any other character's associated with the show.
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Now, the trick was to find the missing half demon.
Kikyo had vanished minutes ago without a trace, and Kagome was left alone in a sickeningly dark forest. As the seconds wore on, Kagome twirled her fingers nervously along her wooden bow, feeling the cold, smooth craftsmanship beneath her fingertips. It helped to ease her racing mind.
So many various thoughts consumed her mind; it was hard to keep track of her thought process. Flashes of Kikyo, tears brimming hauntingly in her eyes, but her stubborn pride refusing to allow them release, entered and exited her mind's eye.
She was too wrapped up in her bothersome thoughts that she failed to notice the wary half demon stride up to her and regard her carefully.
A few silken strands of his hair caught in the lulling breeze, and hovered just before Kagome's face. Kagome instantly was ripped from her comfortable solitariness and she instinctively swung out towards the intruder.
Inuyasha grasped her wrist firmly in his warm hand, preventing her from delivering the ready slap. Seeing the surly half demon standing plainly in front of her, Kagome colored, half from the humiliation of not even noting his presence, and half from remembering Kikyo's revelation.
"Oh! U-umm, Inuyasha. It's you…"
His golden eyes narrowed piercingly on her, as if trying to detect her thoughts, but she kept her composure the best she could as it slowly began to crumble in front of her. "What happened?" he questioned uncertainly, scanning the clearing cautiously.
"Kikyo left already. She hasn't gone too far, if you'd still like to talk to her," the last phrase was said in a more careful manner, as her expression darkened slightly. This did not go by unnoticed by the dog demon.
Briefly, he lifted his head and saw the soul stealers gliding above the treetops. Closing his eyes and moving his gaze downward he met Kagome's again. "No…" he concluded. "I need to get you back before something else happens. Come on."
With that statement made he proceeded to attempt to carry her bridal-style in his arms, but she stilled his movements.
"Inuyasha… we still need to talk." She watched him open his mouth to retort in some way, and for some mysterious reason she realized exactly what he was going to say. "Right now," she determined firmly, not wanting to miss this opportunity she might not be granted with for a long time.
His mouth hardened into a thin line, depicting his distaste for the subject. Inuyasha wished to know badly how much Kagome was affected inside, but as usual his insecurity was an obstacle to overcome.
"Look… it may be difficult for you to do this, but just hear me out, okay?" She pleaded, earnestly looking him full in the face. He didn't respond, his heart beating soundly in his chest.
Inuyasha searched her openly expressed chocolate eyes, their liquid depths focused solely on him. He couldn't just say no, deny anything had ever occurred, not with the peculiarity of the scenario. "I-I…" he stumbled, no coherent thoughts able to string out of his mouth. With a sigh, Inuyasha groaned in defeat, relenting in to the much needed talk.
Kagome smiled softly, successfully assuring Inuyasha with the simple yet effective gesture. It faded from view momentarily to be replaced with a small frown that seemed out of place on Kagome's usually pleasant expression. "I know that… what happened that night wasn't your fault. You don't have to worry about me hating you… or being bitter."
Inuyasha very nearly collapsed against the priestess in relief. He felt like sobbing, showing some appreciation for this undeserved forgiveness that only Kagome would give. She understood. She understood.
"And… even though some people call it foolish, I don't think my trust in you is going anywhere. It's staying with you." Kagome blushed a little at her heartfelt endearment, not sure what else to add.
It was enough for Inuyasha, though. His gaze was unwavering as it remained intact with her mesmerizing one, and he found the truth behind her words in her eyes, there plainly for all the night to see. The burden of his actions, all of the nagging doubts and concern that had plagued his conscious to no end since the event, were taken off his broad shoulders. The effect was immediate; Inuyasha's whole attitude tipped towards a more agreeable position, and his chest swelled with more confidence than it had received in a long time.
A brief minute of complete quiet preceded her words, and Kagome, unable to stand the tense atmosphere, bowed her head forward. Why was he taking so long to answer? Was he displeased with something she had said? She stilled as achingly familiar arms encircled her waist and drew her into a warm, comforting embrace. As soon as it was very clearly known to be Inuyasha, Kagome relaxed her tight muscles in the safety of her protector's presence.
It was true. She had no other place that compared even in the slightest to the security she experienced with Inuyasha. Even her home, where you're supposed to feel the safest in, didn't give her the comfort it used to.
But, she couldn't really call the modern era her home, now could she? After so many years in the feudal era, her time began to appeal less and less to her until it felt like she was better reassured by the sight of miles and miles of trees rather than multiple stories of buildings and skyscrapers.
Her friends were all here… her real friends that would stay with her for a lifetime, to the end. She loved and adored them all, each in their own unique way.
The quiet, muted rhythm of his heartbeat echoed her own gentle pulse, and the rising and falling of his breath eased Kagome more than any sleep ever could. "Inuyasha?" she asked sleepily, interrupting herself with a stifled yawn. "Can we go back to the hut? I'm feelin' kinda… sleepy…" The rest of her sentence was lost in a mumble as another yawn escaped her mouth. Jeez, she had forgotten about how late it actually was with the excitement of these night events.
Inuyasha smiled in amusement at the fast-fading girl in his arms, so close to him… Relinquishing his tight, deep embrace with one last squeeze, Inuyasha hooked his arm under her knees and lifted her smoothly up, her weight no more than a mere feather would be to him.
With much energy, she slid her eyelids open to reveal her bright, content orbs. "Hey…" she said gently, her voice partly slurred with her exhaustion.
His gaze flicked down to her face. "What is it?"
"You never answered to what I said…" he couldn't help but detect the nearly unperceivable disappointment in her tone, and the way her scent told of her uncertainty.
How could he respond to something like that? 'Thank you' was a term overused and definitely to shallow for this; he needed something much more to reflect the magnitude of his relief and thankfulness.
Impulsively, he leaned down and laid his head in the crook of her neck while stopping his walking. Kagome jolted to wide-awake mode, and turned to the side only to find a mass of silver hair cascading over her shoulder in a white waterfall.
No words were required. Just by the infinitely tender way he held her protectively to him spoke volumes, and showed her how grateful he truly was for her to forgive him.
Every nerve in her body tingled with an electric shock at this overload on her senses. His nearness made her dizzy, and her head feel light. Or maybe it was the lack of sleep…
With a ridiculous amount of will power he pulled away from the haven of Kagome and sped off, losing himself to the wind and speed. Kagome yelped as the warm feeling quickly left her to instead be replaced with the biting cold wind. However, with Inuyasha's comforting presence so close to her, the heat returned to her blood and her cheeks.
Despite the turmoil of emotions spilling in her soul, Kagome was able to drift off into a light slumber, fully relying on Inuyasha to take her back safely.
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The hut was deathly quiet, with their companions residing in a nearby hut. They had probably wished to leave Kagome in comfortable silence so that she could heal faster, but little did they suspect that for most of the night she had not been there.
Inuyasha released the bamboo flap, allowing it to drop into place covering the doorway of the moonlit drenched room. There was Kagome's bedding, the sheets rumpled and tossed aside.
Crouching down in front of her bed, Inuyasha lowered Kagome down onto the blankets, and slid his own hands out from underneath her, mindful of his claws. His free hand shamelessly glided down the smooth skin of Kagome's cheek, and she stirred in her sleep.
He wanted her to rest; she desperately needed it if her wound was going to get better anytime soon. A frown settled onto his mouth as his eyebrows drew together. Once her injuries faded from view, they could put this behind them, forget about the horrible memories. But was that really all? Could he ever forget the image of Kagome lying in a small pool of her own blood that was caused by his own hands?
His hand tightened as it glided carefully down Kagome's wavy dark tresses that fanned out beneath her head. This would never leave him, always be lurking at the back of his mind, further proof that he did not deserve her.
Sighing dejectedly, the half demon rose from his crouch to his feet, his shadowed gaze never leaving the woman in front of him. After a brief moment of having the pleasure just to look at her, Inuyasha strode out of the room. He had some things to think about, and right now all he needed was solitude.
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The melody of bird trill floated in the breeze to the young priestess's ear, rousing her effectively with its pretty tune. Her eyes peeked open, revealing the shimmering brown hue underneath, but her eyelids soon closed back afterwards, her mind not fully awake yet.
Moaning from the aching in her stomach, Kagome shook the cloud of sleep off of her and sat up, blinking repeatedly. This movement brought the sharp memory of her wound to mind as the sore injury began to slowly burn.
Inhaling rather sharply, Kagome lifted her school uniform top she had ended up sleeping in, and inspected the healing gash. It was much better, very much noticeable, yet less painful. Relieved at this obvious positive sign, she dropped her shirt back over her stomach and stretched lethargically, loosening all her cramped muscles.
The morning light of the rising sun shone in a square patch through the window frame, lighting the dingy old room with its glory. Kagome brushed back her bangs from her face, and ran a tentative hand through her mess of hair. It was tangled, so without bothering to reach for her brush she carefully combed it out with her fingers, using the utmost care.
She yawned sleepily and got up, smoothing down the ruffled skirt and slipping her shoes on, preparing to head outside. Flipping back the ancient bamboo make-shift door, Kagome strolled out into the pink and orange sky of dawn.
Sango was sitting propped up against a willow, already very much awake at this early hour. "Oh! Kagome, when did you wake up?" she asked as soon as her surprised honey gaze landed on the girl.
Kagome flopped down beside the demon slayer, and answered with a smile, "Just right now. And I'm glad I did. It seems like I haven't talked with you for ages!"
Smiling good-naturedly, Sango sat up straighter, so that she was better suited for conversation. "I did want to talk to you about something… I had a strange dream last night…" Sango blushed, looking down. "It may seem rather odd, and I feel foolish saying this, but it was about you and Kikyo and Inuyasha."
The priestess' eyebrows lifted a fraction of an inch as she stared rather incredulously at her friend. This sounded familiar…
"Well, it was more about you and Kikyo. Both of you… talked. I mean, it wasn't like an angry discussion, but sort of a peace arrangement…" Sango looked up to determine Kagome's reaction, and was shocked to find a smile on the priestess' lips.
"O-of course it doesn't mean anything. How ludicrous for me to actually believe it would happen… never mind I said a thing."
Kagome hid a smile. Besides possessing excellent fighting and warrior skills, it seemed Sango had a knack for mind reading as well. I think I'm going to keep my little meeting secret… it's more of a personal topic for Kikyo, and I want to respect that trust.
"Sango, I wouldn't let it worry you. Probably just a random dream that was thought up in the middle of the night. Anyhow, what have you and Miroku been up to these past days? I rarely see you two together anymore…" Kagome's face brightened as she took in the dangerous way Sango's eyes flashed.
"Ugh! He gets me so frustrated sometimes, Kagome! The monk does not realize when to keep his hands to himself! If it was up to me…"
Kagome listened intently to Sango's usual ranting about Miroku's groping habit, and knew everything was back in its normal place. Now if only she could find Inuyasha….
"Oh!" she exclaimed at once, jumping slightly. Sango regarded her with a mixture of concern and confusion written across her features. "I-I forgot my bow last night!"
"Last night?" Sango repeated suspiciously. "Kagome, what happened last night?"
Mentally smacking herself upside the head for her slip of the tongue, Kagome stood fully, casting her gaze around to land on the forest. "I have to go get it back…I'll…I'll explain everything later!" she promised, running off towards the trees.
"Kagome, wait!" Sango called after her, but the young girl was well out of earshot by then. Shaking her head, the demon slayer muttered under her breath, "That girl never gets a break…"
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Author's Notes: Only a couple of more chapters until the big ending! I'm not sure if I should end it abruptly, or drag it on enough to satisfy you guys' fluff standards. What do you think? And…I'm hoping for an epilogue… just so you can see what I think should happen at the end… Reviews and comments are greatly welcomed and always expected!
-kikyohater92-