Alrighty then… here it is… chapter thirty-three. Kagome and Sesshomaru meet up and duke it out… just joking. They do meet up though… you'll just have to red and find out what they have to say to one another.
Let me just say… wow. I had hoped to get five-hundred reviews by the end of this story. It looks like I'll be getting a lot more than that. I'm already at four-hundred-forty-nine. Yay fans!
I got a comment that horses did not exist in Asia back then, and let me just say that I actually did not know that. Either way, though, Mischief stays. I really don't give a crap. If you want to take things to such a literal level, remember that demons didn't exist either, so there. Besides, look at how many times horses appear in Inuyasha… I'm just trying to piece the story together, okay, not write an essay. This is fantasy, not factual
And also, sorry to those of you who are offended by my terrible grammar in these foreign Disclaimers. I obviously don't know all these languages… sheesh… I just get the words translated on the web. Who actually does know that many languages? I mean seriously? If I get a review and someone tells me, 'Hey I know that many languages,' I'm just going to call you a liar, because no one knows like twenty some languages, alright?
By the way, the last Disclaimer was in Icelandic and this one's in Welch… though I'm sure we need to change some of the words around according to the proper grammar there and whatnot, but I don't give a damn. All of the words are there, okay, so who cares what order they are in?
Disclaimer: Gwna mo addef Inuyasha.
Confrontation of the Hearts
Much to her dismay, the shard, or more to the point, the owner of said shard, did not stay in the same place as it had before. Obviously learning from past mistakes, the shadow youkai was now constantly on the move, making it a difficult task for Kagome and her band to hunt him down.
Mischief, despite Kagome's attempts to slow her, ran for hours on end. Apparently, the mare's determination was just as great as that of the others.
They stopped for rest when need be, and Kagome made certain that the horse always had a good meal and a cool drink before they returned to their trek. Shippou and Yumi rode astride Mischief, in front of Kagome. Thankfully, neither of them took up too much space.
The small demoness, she had learned, could generate water and ice, a useful talent when they came across trouble. Shippou, over the years, had perfected his foxfire, and what was once a harmless trick was now a powerful attack. Also, it was a nifty skill for when they needed to start a fire and cook meals.
The rations, between the three of them, lasted only two days, and so it was left up to Kagome to search for food. The task was a simple one, for a miko of her caliber, but it was bothersome at times. Shippou helped her with the skinning when it came to fish and fowl, and Yumi offered her assistance in cleaning the food before they ate it.
As for Mischief, the horse simply grazed on whatever vegetation was available. Despite what the breeder had told her, the mare took to both Shippou and Yumi rather well, and dealt with them in the same playful manner that she dealt with Kagome.
During their second day of traveling together, Kagome had noted the strong demonic aura trailing them. After searching the energy of the being, she found it to be Sesshomaru, and raised the magnitude of her barrier. She truly did not want to speak to the youkai, or see him, but she often found herself pondering the reasons why he might be following her.
After deliberating the topic, she determined that he more than likely thought it his duty to accompany her, and if he did not, his honor would be tarnished. Thinking about it tended to make her angry, so she tried to stray away from the subject.
To distract herself, she often played with the children, or taught them in the ways of herbs and healing. The two soaked up every bit of information she offered, and she began to find that she was quickly running out of things to teach them. Every evening, before she would tuck them away to bed, she would teach them of the stars and constellations, recalling the stories that went with them.
Kagome found that, in no time at all, Yumi became just as important to her as the young kit, and she now regarded the child as a daughter. Likewise, Yumi had almost instantly picked up calling Kagome mother, as Shippou did. The three of them were an odd but inseparable trio, and the young miko wondered just how she had ever gotten by without being in the presence of children. She surmised that Rin made it a great deal easier for her to bear.
Within days of their departure from the spot where they had reunited, Kagome began missing the young brunette dearly, and swore to herself that once this was over, she would return to the Western Lands so that she could visit the young girl. Perhaps she and Yumi would become friends. Shippou, of course, was already acquainted with the Western Lord's ward, and Kagome knew that he considered her a friend as well.
Either way, it would be nice to see the young girl again; she had a knack of brightening even the foulest of moods. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, was one individual she did not look forward to seeing.
Then, like a proverbial bitch slap from Fate herself, the western Lord's presence invaded her senses, much closer than it had before. Apparently, he had not stopped traveling, and was doing so at an alarmingly fast pace.
Cursing her self in every way possible, Kagome shot to her feet, strapping her sword and bag, as well as the near empty provisions sack, to Mischief's rear. Hurriedly adjusting the bridle, she threw on the saddle and adjusted it to her liking.
Turning to the children, she called out, "It's time to go! We must hurry!"
"What's wrong Kagome?" Shippou inquired as he lifted Yumi onto the mare's back.
"I'll explain later," the miko told him curtly as she shoved her foot into the stirrup. Mounting the steed, she jabbed it lightly with her heels, slackening her grip on the reins so the horse could run.
Even after having placed her most powerful barrier up, the western Lord had still picked up her trail. Why couldn't he just leave her be? Hadn't he done enough damage already, or was he thirsting to inflict more?
They had gotten, at the most, fifty meters before the insufferable taiyoukai dropped from the sky and landed directly in front of them. Mischief jerked to a halt, rearing up in surprise as the lethal western Lord appeared before them. Pawing anxiously at the ground, the mare huffed in aggravation and dislike; large, coal orbs hardening as she regarded the demon.
"Sesshomaru," the young kit whispered in alarm, readying his foxfire if need be. Though he doubted it would harm the powerful demon, he was willing to try anything to protect his mother and newly obtained friend.
"What do you want?" Kagome asked him, her voice deathly calm. "I've told you already, Sesshomaru, there is no need for you to accompany me. I have politely declined your offer, so your reputation is safe. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be going."
"Kagome," the silver haired youkai beseeched, stepping forward.
Grunting in frustration, said miko huffed, "What is it? What do you want?"
"I need to speak with you," he informed her.
Leaning back in the saddle, she released the reins and crossed her arms, black brow arching as she bit out, "Well then, let's have it, but do hurry, I'm on a rather tight schedule."
"I was hoping we might speak alone," he explained while eying the two children that sat mounted on the midnight steed. One he had recognized as the young kit Kagome had traveled with years ago, but the other was unfamiliar. Either way, the conversation he wished to have with the young woman regarded neither of them.
Shaking her head, the priestess declined, "No, I'm sorry, but I don't have time for that. Anything you have to say to me you can say it in front of them. If not, then perhaps its best you left it unsaid."
Groaning in irritation, the youkai began, "For what it's worth, I came to apologize."
For a moment, Kagome remained silent, not a sound coming from her still, rigid figure. Then, with the lifting of both brows, she droned, "Oh, I get it."
Lifting an inquisitive brow, Sesshomaru awaited her accusation.
"You want me to forgive you so that you can feel better about yourself, right? Well, I must say I'm surprised, Sesshomaru. I never thought the feelings of a pathetic human wench would affect you so much. The again, I suppose your reputation is at risk."
"Kagome," Sesshomaru crooned, "that is not the reason behind my apology."
"Really," the young woman asked dubiously.
"Please," the taiyoukai went on, "listen to what I have come to say."
Groaning, Kagome gave in and sighed, "Alright, just get on with it will you? I've got a long way to go."
Taking a long, even breathe, Sesshomaru approached the trio, stopping only when he was standing directly beside them. He could sense fear and premonition billowing off of the young kit, as well as the girl. Kagome's scent, on the other hand, portrayed anger, frustration, and an inner pain to the likes of which he had never felt before. He truly had shattered her once unbreakable spirit.
"What I did to you, the way I behaved, was unacceptable. You have every right to resent me for what I have put you through, but allow me this, Kagome. Allow me to tell you just how truly sorry I am. I don't expect you to forgive me, and, as much as I loathe the fact, you were right… when you said I was like Inuyasha."
Kagome was thrown aback by his last statement. Never had she dreamed that Sesshomaru would place himself on the same level as Inuyasha.
"During the countless years I have lived, I have seen many great men fall while fighting for a loved one. It was because of that I lead myself to believe that caring about someone made one weak. For ages I separated myself from those around me, and for ages it seemed to work to my advantage. I became feared, renowned, respected by all. But lately, I've found myself thinking very dangerous things, and what's worse… I was acting on those same thoughts."
He paused then, to recall the words his father had spoken to him on the day of his death. "Inu no Taisho once asked me who I had to protect. At first, I thought his words to be a ridiculous mockery, because of the fact that he had taken a human as a mate. Now, however, I see the reasons behind his actions. One cannot help who they love, whether they are ningen or youkai. Now, as I stand in my father's shadow, I understand. He loved her, as I love you, Kagome."
By then she was in tears, the western Lord's heartfelt confession tearing her in two ways. If he loved her so much, why had he treated her like dirt? "Why?" she sobbed brokenly, "If you love me then why did you do it? Why did you use me, Sesshomaru?"
Eyes lowering to the ground, he explained, "I was a fool to let you go, Kagome. When I first realized that I felt for you, a part of me did not want to accept it. For so long I ridiculed my father for his weakness… and now that same weakness has become my own. When you left, my heart was shattered into a million splinters. I realized that love is not a weakness, but rather something that strengthens. I was so busy worrying about what others would think if they saw the western Lord mate a human, after the mockery he had made of his father."
"I don't know what to think, Sesshomaru," Kagome whispered, her head hung low as tears pooled at her chin, where they plummeted to spatter against the damp cloth of her fighting uniform.
Eyes lifting, determination shining from their amber depths, Sesshomaru pleaded, "It doesn't matter to me, what they think. Their opinion of me is not my concern. Your happiness is my only concern. Whatever you choose, Kagome, as long as it makes you happy, I will respect it. Even if…"
Holding her breathe as his voice grew quiet, Kagome dismounted, taking slow, uncertain steps toward the now shaking Lord. Reaching him, she brushed back his bangs to find tears rimming his golden eyes.
Gazing straight into her eyes, those twin pools of sapphire he had come to adore so very much, Sesshomaru finished, "even if it means that I am not a part of your life. I love you, and I always will. If you choose to leave me, then let it be my punishment to forever wallow in the silent, lonely Hell I have created for myself."
Wiping away the single tear that streaked down his porcelain cheek, Kagome assured him with a shake of her head, "I should hate you… but I can't."
Eyes shimmering with hope, Sesshomaru cupped her cheek and kissed her gently on the forehead.
Laughing in a strangled way, she teased, "Especially when you do things like that. You're such an arrogant, insensitive, jerk… but I can't stop loving you."
Arms wrapping loosely around her waist, the youkai promised, "Give me the chance, koi, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy."
Hugging the tall, tinsel haired demon, Kagome told him, "I love you, Sesshomaru, but I will need time to regain my trust in you."
Kissing her forehead once more, he assured her, "I will do whatever I can to prove to you that I am sincere. This Sesshomaru would wait for an eternity if that is what it took." Removing the crescent moon necklace from the folds of his haori, he lifted the delicate metal chain over her head.
Chuckling lightly, Kagome assured him, "I doubt I'll need an eternity."
Worming her way out of his arms, the miko adjusted her hair and scurried back over to her party. Hopping astride the still anxious horse, she gave it a reassuring pat on the neck. Giving the mare a nudge in the flank, Kagome steered Mischief to stand beside the demon Lord. Eyes returning to Sesshomaru, she inquired playfully, "Are you going to join us then, or stand there and look pretty?"
Grinning, the tall youkai manifested his demon cloud and followed alongside the little band. His senses were on constant alert, though his eyes never once left the determined visage of the young miko. He praised the heavens for giving him a second chance, and promised himself that he would never take that chance for granted, nor would he take her love for granted.
Love, sweet love. I understand that most of you were expecting more of a struggle, but whatever. You're all thinking, 'I wouldn't have gone so easy on him,' but don't be too quick to say so. Love makes people do crazy things. If you really love someone, and you get the opportunity to be with them, chances are you're going to take it.
Review and let me hear your feelings/ complaints/ opinions… but please, no nonsensical flames. I've said it before. I cannot use them to make the story better, so why bother? If you hate the story so much, don't read it!