Love and War
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from, the stories of Inuyasha.
All Inuyasha characters are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise and Viz
All original characters belong to me.
Chapter Fifteen
The Way We Were
Inuyasha jumped down from the tree, his eyes wide, his legs askance, his mouth open,
"M-m-m-master. The p-p-portal.", mumbled Myouga.
"I see it. And I don't like it.", Inuyasha said to him.
The tree portal was acting strangely. Instead of the normal bluish-white light that signaled movement from within, the portal was afire, rumbling, crackling with immense energy as if angry at some unseen force,
"KAGOME!", Inuyasha screamed into the air as he rushed the portal that ZAPPED! him backwards when he hit the forcefield surrounding it,
"DAMN!", he cursed, as he ran up to it again.
This time he placed his hands on the barrier, trying to force his way through. The barrier sizzled as his hands touched it. Ignoring the pain, he continued to try to push his way through the energy, somehow,
"KAGOME! DON'T GIVE UP! I'LL GET YOU! I PROMISE!", he screamed into the portal.
The barrier released a loud ZAP! as Inuyasha was thrown backwards again. He stood up,
"So, that's the way it's gonna be, is it?", he spoke to the barrier. His fur stood up on end. He felt like the portal was a living, breathing entity. He unsheathed Tessaiga,
"I'll never let you keep Kagome!", he spoke through gritted teeth as the blade of the sword turned a bright, yet angry, red, "TESSAIGA!", he screamed out the sword's name as he released a barrier crushing attack.
The energy hit the barrier, surrounding it in a bright, white light and then ... disappeared,
"WHAT? The barrier-breaking Red Tessaiga didn't work?", Inuyasha stared in disbelief.
He felt something in his hand. He looked down at the sword. It was pulsating,
"Tessaiga?", he queried his sword.
As if in response, the sword's blade turned black on its own accord,
"You want me to use the Meidou Zangetsuha?", Inuyasha asked, increduously.
He stared back at the portal. It continued to crackle with a vengeance and as Inuyasha continued to stare, it seemed to take on a more demonic appearance, screaming in anger. Inuyasha readied his sword,
"I'm counting on you, Tessaiga. Bring Kagome and Miroku home.", he said, as he raised the sword, "MEIDOU ZANGETSUHA!", he screamed the attack name.
A huge, black hole formed in front of him and the portal began wavering side to side. The screeching sound it made grew louder. So loud that Inuyasha nearly passed out from the pitch. As he held his ears and squinted, Inuyasha thought he saw images of black, hooded creatures hissing and dissolving into the Meidou. A distorted figure of man followed, his eyes seemingly hollow,
'NISHIMURA!', Inuyasha thought.
Inuyasha's eyes opened wide as he saw two figures laying on the ground underneath the Meidou's circle,
"KAGOME! MIROKU!", he yelled, in recognition.
The circle began to fade away and with it, the deafening, screeching sound. Inuyasha took that chance to run up to his wife and friend. Pulling Kagome into his arms, he shook her,
"Kagome. Wake up. C'mon. You can do it. Come back to me. Wake up. PLEASE!", he begged, tears in his eyes, as he held her lifeless body to his chest.
He felt her body shudder and he pulled her away,
"Kagome?", he asked, quietly.
"Inu - yasha.", she spoke weakly.
Inuyasha laid his head on hers, "Thank goodness.", he whispered.
Kagome started to sit up and held her head in her hands,
"Ooooooh. I'm soooo dizzy.", she remarked, then looked beside her, "Miroku!"
Inuyasha knee-walked over to their friend and examined him,
"He's alive.", he said, relief in his voice, "Just unconscious."
Kagome smiled gently and spoke, "Wh -what happened? Wh-why are we here?", she said, confused and looking around her.
Inuyasha stared at her, 'Doesn't she remember?', he wondered.
Kagome sat up straighter and her hand brushed over her chest. An object laid against her chest. She lifted it up,
'Huh? A stopwatch? Where did I get th ... ", her thoughts stopped mid-sentence and she felt like an epiphany hit her, 'It's a time-turner! The portal. Nishimura. We traveled back to 19th Century England.'
She looked up, "Inuyasha. Where's the tree? The portal?"
"So, you do remember.", he commented, "The portal disappeared. I guess you were successful."
She stood up, wobbly at first, "No. We didn't succeed. It's not possible ..."
Inuyasha stood up and stared at her, "Whaddya mean?"
Her mind flashed back to Dumbledore,
'When ye return through the portal, ye shall not remember all that ye have seen here.'
Kagome just shook her head, surreally,
"If everything has returned to as it was supposed to be ... then neither one of us should remember or, in that matter, even know anything about this portal or Nishimura.", she explained to him.
Inuyasha let her words sink in. Speaking softly, he asked,
"What do you make of this, Myouga?"
He looked onto his shoulder. The flea was gone,
"Pfft. Just like him.", Inuyasha muttered, "Always the first to run away when there's trouble."
Miroku moaned and groaned, rubbling his forehead with his right hand. Inuyasha and Kagome knelt beside him,
"You're awake.", said Kagome, "That's good, Miroku."
The monk opened his eyes, "Where are we?", he mumbled.
"At the portal.", Kagome said, softly, "Or, at least, where the portal was. I guess we didn't succeed in our mission."
Miroku sat up slowly, "Huh? We're at the well? What mission? What are you talking about?"
Kagome looked at him, strangely, "The tree portal? We went to 1860's England? Nishimura? Hogwarts? Nearly Headless Nick? Remember?"
Miroku stared at his friend like she was crazy. He then looked at Inuyasha,
"Do you have any idea what she's talking about, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha swallowed and looked at Kagome, "It appears that Miroku doesn't remember anything."
Miroku looked between his friends, "Huh?"
Inuyasha and Kagome stared at each other for a moment, each trying to come to terms with what was occurring. Finally, Inuyasha spoke,
"Let's check the village."
Kagome nodded, "Yes. Let's."
The three headed for the ancient Heiian village of Inuyasha's birth. Arriving later that night, they found a deserted ghost town,
"Where is this?", Miroku queried.
Inuyasha blinked and gulped, "A place to bed down for the night. There's some shelter at least, should it decide to rain.", he quickly lied.
"Good.", answered Miroku, "Cause I am exhausted. I don't know why, either.", he said, as he made his way to a dilapidated house to rest.
The trio set out the next morning, bound for Kaede's village. Kagome was exhausted because she and Inuyasha had remained awake all night, talking. They had mulled over and over the various conflicting images, wondering what it all meant. It seemed as if all was back to what it should have been, without Nishimura's arrival into Japan. But, if it was, why did they remember the entire incident? Inuyasha sensed his wife's tiredness and stopped, kneeling on the ground,
"Huh?", she said, sleepily.
"Get on.", he replied, gently.
She smiled gratefully and climbed up on his back. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she dozed peacefully, snuggling into his silvery mane.
As the day wore on, they began entering more familiar ground,
"Why were we so far north in Musashi?", wondered Miroku.
Inuyasha could only offer him a fairy tale, "We had a huge demon we had to battle. You must have been knocked out and don't remember it."
"Hmmm. Was that who Kagome was talking about? When she said the name Nishimura? And, who is Nearly Headless Nick?"
Inuyasha shrugged, "Dunno about the headless guy but, yea, Nishimura was the demon's name."
"Odd name for a demon. Oh well, I supposed it takes all kinds. Even for demons.", he mused.
"Guess it does.", Inuyasha agreed.
They passed through familiar villages. Inuyasha noted how all looked peaceful and undisturbed. No sign of war or struggle. Inuyasha began to question his own sanity,
'Maybe it wasn't real. Maybe it was me and Kagome who experienced it all and no one else did. Maybe it was all a dream. Is that even remotely possible for us to have the same dream?'
Wanting to hurry home to Sango, Miroku never asked for much of a break. He would grab fruits from trees along the way to keep his stomach full and stop for some water while Inuyasha continued to walk, then quickly catch up to his friends. By late afternoon, they crested the hill just before the entrance to the small village. Inuyasha blinked twice. Kaede's village, destroyed in his memories, was intact and bustling with activity,
"Hey everybody!", shouted a small voice, "Kagome, Inuyasha and Miroku are back."
Kagome woke up from all the noise and was surprised to realize she had slept the entire journey. Sango and her brood rushed up to Miroku, hugging him, asking where he had been. Surprised that Sango didn't know, Miroku looked at Inuyasha, who just shrugged.
Shippou, Shinta, Kai and Izayoi rushed up to Kagome and Inuyasha, the young pups scrambling to be held by their parents. Kaede brought a squirming Shiori up to them,
"She is very happy that ye two are back.", Kaede told them.
Kagome took the sweet-faced pup and looked at Inuyasha, who returned her gaze. They each knew what the other was thinking. Things appeared to be normal and only they seemed to remember the alternate life.
--
Inuyasha and Kagome rested for two days. In that time, they both agreed on what they needed to do. They had to return to the present,
"I have to know.", Kagome said to her husband.
He held her, "I know you do.", he said, as he kissed the top of her raven hair.
--
The day before they planned to go to the modern age, Myouga appeared. Inuyasha quizzed him on where he had disappeared to and the flea, as well, was clueless to Inuyasha's questions about Nishimura and the time portal.
Kagome, with Shiori strapped to her back, picked up a basket of vegetables and headed towards her hut. Myouga landed on her shoulder,
"What is with Master Inuyasha, Lady Kagome?", the flea questioned her.
"What do you mean, Myouga?"
Myouga told Kagome about Inuyasha's strange questions. She just smiled and reassured the flea, "Inuyasha just had a very vivid dream. He truly believes it was real.", she lied.
Entering the hut, she placed the basket on the table. As she did so, the time turner around her neck swung forward. She grabbed it and her mind flashed back to when she and Dumbledore had been talking, alone, in the school office,
'When all is said and done, and the mission complete, the time turner will return to me, my dear.'
'Why hasn't it disappeared? Is there something left undone?', she thought. Then she had an idea,
"Myouga?", she asked the flea.
"Huhmmm?"
"What do you know about dates?"
"Dates? The fruit?", the flea looked at her,
"No. You know, when things occurred in history."
"Oh. A bit. What do you want to know?"
Kagome explained what she wanted,
"Hmm. That might be a little difficult for me. But, I know a demon who could help me."
"Could you ask that demon and get back to me as soon as you can?", she asked, sweetly.
"I'm on it!", Myouga chirped, jumping away.
--
Kohaku finished his chores and looked around for Rin. He found her sitting on a rock overlooking the stream. He sat beside her. The two sat quietly as birds chirped. Rin broke the silence,
"Kohaku.", she spoke.
Kohaku sighed. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling of what Rin had on her mind. He had felt a distance growing between them. She had kept putting off the marriage date and he believed he knew why, though he could not explain how he knew,
"Yes, Rin?"
Rin swallowed hard as a tear fell down her cheek, "I'm afraid I've been unfair to you, Kohaku."
He looked at her, "Why?"
"You deserve someone better than me. I don't think I can just get married and live in a village for the rest of my life.", she explained.
"You miss your traveling life with Lord Sesshoumaru, don't you?"
She smiled as she gulped again, "You always did seem to know me so well."
He cupped her face in his hands,
"Rin. I only want you to be happy. I want what's best for you. I know you hated it when Lord Sesshoumaru insisted you stay here with Sango and myself. You need to be true to your heart, Rin."
She wrapped her arms around him, "Thank you so much for everything, Kohaku. I really do love you. I ... just cannot live with you. Or any other man other than Lord Sesshoumaru."
Kohaku nodded as she pulled away, "I will never forget you, Rin.", he kissed her gently, "I will always love you, too."
He smiled a fake smile as he stood up and turned away. He felt a tear escape his eye, 'Good luck, Rin.', he thought.
As he approached the hut he shared with his sister, Sango exited. Her eyes met her brother's and she just stared at him, her heart breaking,
"Kohaku!"
"Big sister.", he replied.
"You've been crying. Why?"
"Rin and I have decided to part ways.", he said to her, softly.
She reached out to hug him, tears running down her cheeks, "Kohaku! I'm so sorry!"
He closed his eyes and hugged her back, "Thank you. But, I feel it's for the best. You know Rin detests village life."
Sango pulled away and dried her tears, "Yes, I do. You are alright with this, Kohaku?"
He smiled, "Yes. I'll be fine, sister.", he said to her, his voice filled with confidence, though his heart ached.
She kissed his cheek, "If you need anything ... to talk ..."
"I know.", he said, "I know where to find you."
She smiled and nodded before leaving him. Kohaku headed further into the village, running into Miroku in the process,
"Oh. Kohaku. Are you busy?", the monk asked him.
"No. Why?", he answered back.
"We have guests. A mother and daughter. The husband was a samurai killed in battle. She's looking for a quiet village to reside in. Can you assist her in becoming settled?"
"Uh huh. No problem. Where are they?"
"On the eastern most section of the village. I left them talking with a couple village women there.", said Miroku.
"Ok. I'll take care of them.", Kohaku said, taking off in that direction.
He arrived at the location and spotted the newcomers. Walking towards them, he bowed and smiled,
"Where are your things? We have an empty hut you can use temporarily until a new one is built for you. I'll take your things there.", he said.
The woman stood up and bowed in gratitude,
"You are so kind, young man, thank you.", the older woman said, as she motioned to a small collection of belongings, "This is all we were able to carry, I'm afraid."
Kohaku picked up the items and started walking towards the hut, motioning them to follow him,
"My name is Kohaku.", he said, introducing himself.
"It's very nice to meet you, Kohaku. My name is Ima. And this is my only child, my daughter, Nara."
Kohaku's eyes landed on the pretty girl. His heart lurched in his chest and he smiled a goofy smile. The young girl returned his smile. His mind raced as wildly as his heart. For reasons he couldn't explain, he felt an instant connection with the young girl ...
--
The next morning, Inuyasha packed a bag for Shiori,
"Are you sure the pups will be able to go through the well, Inuyasha?", asked Shippou.
Inuyasha looked at the kit, as his mind traveled back to a memory,
'You are highly spiritual. Your soul is spiritually strong. That is why you can time travel. Inuyasha is connected to you and that is why he can time-travel. Your grandfather is highly spirtual and he is connected to you ...', spoke Hideki.
'I'm not highly spiritual but, I am connected to Kagome and that is why I can travel through the well. The pups are even more connected to Kagome. It stands to reason that ...', Inuyasha thought,
"Yes, Shippou. I have every reason to believe the pups will pass through safely.", he explained to the boy.
Kagome finished picking some ripe strawberries from the plants. She planned on letting Kaede have them so they didn't go bad. As she headed towards the old woman's hut, Myouga landed on her shoulder,
"I have the information you requested, Lady Kagome.", the flea informed her, handing her a small scroll.
She took it and examined it, "Hmm. Okay. It uses the Chinese calendar. I can use this. Thank you, Myouga."
"I'm glad to be of service, my lady.", Myouga bowed and then took off.
Kagome finished visitng Kaede and headed back to her hut to finish preparing the pups for the trip.
--
High up a nearby hill, Sesshoumaru stood next to Ah-Un and Jaken, looking down upon the village. He picked up her scent easily and inhaled deeply, but, quietly,
'Rin.', he thought, 'Do you remember, Rin?'
He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to waver. He could not explain his thoughts. His feelings. No one had ever mattered this much to him. He had never found himself, before now, longing for the touch of a female,
'Inuyasha. You have succeed in ridding the world of the scourge of Nishimura. The world appears as it should be. But, why do I remember what I remember? Jaken and mother have no knowledge of the memories I have. It is as if it never happened. But, it did. I know it did. And, little brother, I feel you do as well. My mind is filled with the memories of battle but, also something else. The touch of her hand, the sound of her voice, the smell of her scent, the color of her hair, the look in her eyes.', his eyes opened, 'How do I respond to my heart that longs for the touch of a human girl?'
--
Miroku, Sango and Shippou accompanied Inuyasha, Kagome and the pups to the well,
"I hope you're right about this, Inuyasha.", warned Miroku.
Inuyasha waved him off, "Don't worry I am.", he said, nonchalantly.
Shinta peered in,
"It's dark down there."
Kai jumped up on the lip,
"Spooky."
Izayoi trembled in her father's arms,
"Are dere monsters down dere?", she queried.
"Is my little warrior princess afraid of some itty bitty dead demons?", Inuyasha cooed to her.
She sat up straighter in his arms and placed her fists on her hips,
"No, I not.", she spoke defiantly, then shrank a bit, "I just don't want no surprises is all."
Kagome placed her hand on Izayoi's back,
"It's ok, sweetie. Daddy will be with you."
Izayoi leaned into her father's chest,
"Otay.", she replied.
Kagome adjusted Shiori's carrier on her back and held out her arms,
"Kai? Wanna come with me or your father?", she asked the little boy.
"You, mama.", he said, as he scrambled into her arms.
Shinta jumped up onto his father's back,
"I'm ready!", he announced, "TO THE FUTURE!", he held up his fist in the air.
"TO THE FUTURE!", responded Kai, doing a similar motion.
"TO DA FUTURE!", Izayoi chimed in.
"Bye!", Kagome waved to their friends, as Inuyasha put his arm around her waist and the two jumped into the well together.
A bluish light enveloped them and they were gone. Miroku peered inside,
"Nope. No leftovers. Guess it worked!"
"Leftovers?", Sango looked at him strangely, and laughed.
--
A/N: I thought this would be the last chapter but, I needed to break it into two parts. Enjoy!