Sigh Are you all enjoying this story? Don't get me wrong, for the few who did review, thank you very much. But overall, this story doesn't seem to be generating much interest. Believe me, its a challenge to get this story up with my schedule right now: I'm at school every day for over ten hours and I'm working two jobs. I'm stressed and I have to sacrifice a lot of time to get these chapters up. But I may discontinue this story if no one is enjoying it. If the story is crap, there doesn't seem much sense in continuing it.
Okay, rant done. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy :)
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Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me...but I can dream, right?
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Warning: Swearing is present. Please don't read if this offends you, K?
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Chapter Nine
"Kagome. May I speak with you in private for a moment?"
Kagome curiously followed Kaede out of the living room and into the hall. Kagome waited but Kaede was silent for so long that Kagome grew nervous. What could be wrong? Kaede was always so direct…
"Child," Kaede said in a troubled voice. "I'm very sorry. I'm so sorry. But…but your family has been murdered by Kikyo and Naraku. I-I'm sorry I have to tell you this…but…"
Kagome stared open mouthed at Kaede before crying out in a strangled voice, "You're lying!"
"Kagome…"
"No!" Kagome cried out. "No! I don't believe you!"
And Kagome tore from the room and out of the apartment, running towards the family shrine as fast as her legs could carry her.
'Mom…Grandpa…Souta. Please be okay. Please let this be a misunderstanding.'
Kagome could not suppress the sob that escaped her as she continued to run. It had to be a mistake…They couldn't be dead! She ran up the steps leading to her old home and froze in her tracks as she reached the top. No…no no no! Many trees were scorched and where the shrine and house had been, there was only blackened rubble. Kagome dropped to her knees, tears pouring down her face and let out a strangled cry of anguish. Mom…Souta…Grandpa…
"No!" she screamed.
"I thought I would be seeing you here."
Kagome leapt to her feet and turned to the voice. Kikyo.
"Was it you?" Kagome asked in a strangled voice.
"Me?" Kikyo's mouth twisted into a sadistic smile. "I had some help of course but it was no more than they deserved, protecting a demon. Don't you agree?"
Rage suddenly filled Kagome at this insult to her family. This bitch had killed her family. She had killed her family and would stand there and insult there memory?! Kagome saw red as this primitive anger filled her. She barely heard herself as she let out a howl. Kagome leapt at Kikyo, but before she could get close, Kikyo sent an arrow laced with black magic at the demon girl. Kagome managed to throw herself to the side and the arrow embedded itself at her feet. They were dead…Her family was gone…The rage and sorrow filled her and she could only drop to her knees, so great was her anguish. They were gone... Another arrow came at her and she scooted away. Arrow after arrow came, with Kagome scrambling on the ground to avoid them. She couldn't think…they were dead…Kagome whimpered. Grandpa…Mom…Souta…
Finally, Kagome stilled. What was the use of fighting? Her family was dead. There was nothing to keep her here. Kagome bent her head, waiting for death. Kikyo seemed to sense this emotional defeat and slowly approached, standing before Kagome.
"Finally admitted your defeat, demon? Too bad you ran before. I had to get rid of your family not only for shielding you but also in order to draw you out of hiding. If you hadn't run like a coward, they might still be alive today."
Kagome looked at her, feeling the tears falling hot down her face. It was her fault…it was her fault that her family was dead. She deserved to die…she couldn't live anymore. How could she face life, knowing she was the cause of her family's death? Kikyo took an arrow and soon black flames ran up its tip. So great was Kagome's misery that she hardly felt the evil radiating from it. Kikyo placed the arrow near Kagome's throat and smiled again.
"Goodbye, demon."
Kagome closed her eyes. 'I'm sorry everyone. I just can't help you anymore.'
A pain-filled scream suddenly tore through the air and Kagome's eyes flew open. Kikyo was on her feet and facing away from Kagome. Blood soaked the back of the dark miko's white blouse. Kagome's eyes traveled past Kikyo and then she felt her breathe hitch. Sesshomaru…
Kikyo practically snarled with rage. Sesshomaru's gaze darted to Kagome and for a moment their eyes locked. His face was as stoic as ever but there was something in his eyes. Kikyo suddenly notched an arrow and sent it flying at Sesshomaru. Kagome felt as time slowed and she opened her mouth to warn him, she couldn't. He couldn't avoid it in time... At the last moment Sesshomaru seemed to sense Kikyo's movements as he looked away from Kagome and he leapt aside. Kagome heard herself gasp as she saw Sesshomaru wince as the arrow grazed his side. Sesshomaru was strong but she could tell the black magic had taken its toll on him when Sesshomaru doubled with pain. Kikyo notched another arrow and aimed it at him. Aimed it straight at his heart. Sesshomaru…
"Die, demon."
Kagome found herself on her feet. Sesshomaru. She darted between him and Kikyo, her feet spread in determination. She had to protect Sesshomaru! Kikyo let loose her arrow, the black flames engulfing it. Kagome outstretched her hands in an attempt to summon her miko energy to halt the arrow. However, with her clouded mind, she wasn't entirely successful. The arrow slowed and seemed about to stop when it pierced her side. The pain was unbearable as the heat seemed to shoot through every portion of her body. Kagome screamed as she felt herself being filled with an evil that seemed to be ripping through her insides.
"Foolish demon. Now you both die."
Kagome's eyes snapped open at these words and her vision was clouded by a blood red. Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru…she could not die now. She had to protect Sesshomaru from this thing that was trying to take him from her. Kagome snarled and then yanked the arrow from her body, letting out a cry as the arrow tip ripped through her flesh. She purified the arrow and sent it back towards Kikyo.
'Take that, bitch,' Kagome snarled to herself.
Kikyo screamed as the pure energy hit her and her flesh seemed to be melting away where the arrow had struck her. Kikyo swept one last look over Kagome before she was lifted into the air by her flying creatures. She was gone. Kagome dropped to her knees and pressed a hand to her side, feeling the warm stickiness. The rage drained from her…Sesshomaru…Sesshomaru was safe. He was safe and Kikyo was gone. Her work was done…She felt herself falling as the darkness claimed her.
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Kagome felt harsh lights hit her eyelids. She closed them tighter against the glare. Her body was in agony. Maybe if she kept her eyes closed she'd realize the light and pain were a dream. But the light did not fade and the pain didn't leave so she slowly opened her eyes, squinting. Gradually the figures of Sango, Kaede, and Sesshomaru came into focus.
"Are you okay?" Sango asked.
"How are you doing child?" Kaede enquired.
Kagome couldn't face their concern. She didn't deserve it. Kagome turned her face towards the wall and felt the tears begin to fall. Her family was dead and it was her fault. Sesshomaru had almost been killed and it was her fault. And Kikyo…even though she was evil…Kagome shuddered, remembering her earlier rage. She would have killed her. She had wanted to kill her. She was a monster. A monster responsible for the hurt of so many. She deserved nothing…After a prolonged silence, she heard Sesshomaru speak.
"May I speak with Kagome privately?"
Kagome heard Sango and Kaede leave and the door close behind them. Sesshomaru did not speak again and eventually Kagome turned to look at him. Why wasn't he talking? She got a glimpse of him. His face was twisted in emotion. He looked angry but there was something else…Kagome could not quite reconcile in her mind the look on his face. He was normally so impassive, what could make him look so? But, then again, did it matter…
"What did you think you were doing?" he ground out.
"Nothing."
"Nothing," he repeated.
"Nothing."
"You put yourself in danger. What were you thinking? You could have been killed."
"I had to save you."
He looked more closely at her. "Why."
She turned her head away.
"Why?" he asked more gently.
Kagome didn't look at him as she answered and her heart hurt. Hurt not only for those she had already lost but for the man she was going to lose now. Now she could really know how he felt…and-and it would break her heart. She had not wanted to know how he felt because…because he couldn't feel as she did. Because he could not return her feelings. And now…now she would know, from his own lips, that he did not care for her…
"Because I care about you. I know you don't like me so forget it."
Sesshomaru's face lost its anger and was replaced by something she couldn't identify, something almost…gentle.
"I don't dislike you."
Kagome turned to look at him. "But I thought…"
"Why would you think I disliked you?"
Kagome looked down at her hands for a moment before answering. "After that night of training…you acted as though you couldn't stand the sight of me."
"No."
"But…then why did you…that is, why did you act as though my presence was so horrible?"
"It was not your presence. I was…jealous of you and Inuyasha."
"Inuyasha and I?" Kagome repeated blankly. What was he talking about?
"I saw the two of you hugging."
'Oh…But why would Sesshomaru…Jealous?' Kagome wondered even as she answered Sesshomaru.
"Oh. That. He hugged me," Kagome said flatly.
Sesshomaru looked at her for a time. "Yes?"
"Yes," Kagome repeated.
Kagome was quite confused by now. She had no idea where this conversation was going. Or why.
"You did not…wish him to?" Sesshomaru asked quietly.
Kagome slowly looked at Sesshomaru. Why would he think that? Or even ask?
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't love Inuyasha," Kagome said softly. She looked directly into Sesshomaru's golden eyes before she could no longer stand it, and looked away. There was a brief silence. "Why would you be jealous?" Kagome asked softly.
"Because…"
Kagome chanced a look at him and saw that he was looking at the wall. Kagome felt as though her heart was twisting painfully. She cared about him; she had become certain of that when she thought Kikyo was going to kill him but he…he didn't care about her. Kagome felt tears beginning to form, but she refused to let them fall. He couldn't even look at her…he must be thinking how to word his disinterest in her…
"Is it because you don't like Inuyasha, is that why you were jealous?" Kagome asked, turning her face to the wall. He said he didn't dislike her, but that didn't mean he liked her either. Kagome wished he would leave so she could cry. "I'm sorry if I put you in an awkward position," Kagome added. "You don't have to say anything, its okay."
"Kagome. Look at me."
Kagome couldn't quite find the courage to turn and look at him. Why didn't he leave? She didn't know how much longer she could hold in the tears. She finally raised her gaze to his and gasped softly as he placed his hands on either side of her face.
"Inuyasha had nothing to do with my jealousy," he said softly. "At the time…at the time I didn't realize why I would feel jealous. But after last night, when you were in danger…I realized how much I cared about you. I have never felt this way and at first tried to deny it but…but now I can not push my feelings away. Not if it means that I could lose you."
And he kissed her. At first Kagome could only stare, as Sesshomaru kissed her, at Sesshomaru's face, her eyes wide. He was kissing her…then she felt herself smile and her eyes closed, as she kissed him back. His lips, lips that normally looked so cold in their expression were in fact very warm and soft and filled Kagome with a warmth that she had never experienced. He kissed her very gently and Kagome forgot everything, for a moment, as she lost herself in him. He soon pulled away and Kagome saw the warmth on his face and shinning out from his eyes. Kagome came back down to earth and she blushed.
"What is wrong?" Sesshomaru asked, sounding concerned.
"Oh…well…that was my first kiss." She smiled shyly. "But I'm glad it was with you."
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and saw what looked like a faint pink on his cheeks. Pink?
"Are you okay?" Kagome asked him, feeling a little concerned. Did the fact that this was her first kiss somehow…not sit well with him? Or was he…regretting it?
"Yes. That was my first kiss as well."
Kagome gaped at him for a moment before laughing lightly. She held out her arms and hugged Sesshomaru, whom hugged her back.
"You've never kissed anyone before?" she whispered.
"No."
"Why?"
"I never wanted to. Never found it at all appealing."
Kagome pulled her head back slightly, arms still around Sesshomaru's neck, in order to look at him. "Then why did you kiss me?" she asked curiously.
He gazed down at her and Kagome felt her heart soar as he gave her a small smile. He smiled…at her.
"Because," he whispered, bringing his face closer to hers until their faces were mere inches apart. "I wanted to kiss you very much."
And he kissed her again.
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Kagome clutched the flowers, held in her arms, closer to her chest. Sesshomaru seemed to sense her growing distress and he put his arm about her shoulders and pulled her close. Kagome leaned into him, glad for his strength. They approached the graves and Kagome immediately went to work cleaning them. She began to sob as she worked and her hands began to shake. Sesshomaru put his hand on her shoulder but Kagome shook her head.
"I need to do this," she said in a choked voice.
She furiously cleaned the graves before setting down the flowers. She then knelt, pressed her hands together, and bent her head in prayer. She felt Sesshomaru kneel beside her. When they finished, Kagome dropped her hands listlessly in her lap and stared at Sesshomaru.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded mutely and then was embarrassed when tears began to fall. She wiped at them irritably.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
She felt Sesshomaru place his fingers under her chin and gently turn her down turned face to look at him.
"Don't apologize," he said both firmly and gently. "I want to be able to help you."
"Thank you."
Mom…Souta…Grandpa. Kagome felt the tears as she mourned the loss of her family. And Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her as Kagome leaned against his strong chest, her hands fisted into his shirt. And she let herself cry as Sesshomaru rocked her back and forth and smoothed her hair, offering as much comfort as he could.
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Okay, that's chapter nine. Please read and review.