So I know I haven't updated this story in for-FUCKING-ever, and I am very sorry for that. I kind of had a writer's block for awhile. I still don't know how this chapter will go but I'm winging it. BE HAPPY, DAMMIT. :) Okayyy. Onwards!
Rejection
Kagome was strolling through the forest on a bright sunny day in the Feudal Era. She had no worries weighing on her mind and she hadn't a care in the world. She sighed happily and she walked around the Goshinboku. Kagome finally came to a stop at the front of the great timeless tree and covered its scar with her hand.
"This is where everything happened. This is the spot where it all started. This is where I met Inuyasha, and ultimately where our adventure began. This tree holds so many memories for Inuyasha. It's where Kikyo sealed him. Kikyo…Inuyasha, are you truly over her?"
Kagome's happy thoughts immediately became bleak and depressing. She sighed heavily and leaned back against the tree. As she looked up into the sky, a sudden snap of a twig brought her out of her reverie. Kagome whipped her head to the side in order to see none other than Kikyo. "Speak of the devil, and the devil will come,"* Kagome thought to herself.
The young miko watched the older version of her circle the Goshinboku, just as she had moments before. Kikyo slowly came to a stop in front of the scar she had caused a little over fifty years ago. She too placed her hand over the marring in the wood. Suddenly Kikyo turned her head slightly to eye Kagome.
"I see you and Inuyasha have admitted your feelings to one another." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine at the sound of Kikyo's cold voice. All she could do was nod. Kikyo returned her gaze back to the tree, "Very well. There is nothing I can do to change his mind. Inuyasha has moved on, and I accept that. I wish you two the best of luck."
Kagome closed the slight distance between her and Kikyo, and placed a hand on the dead woman's shoulder. "Thank you, Kikyo. That means a lot to me," Kagome smiled and Kikyo gave her reincarnation a small, sad smile in return.
"However," Kikyo started. "Heed my warning: if Naraku finds out, your relationship will be in jeopardy. He will use your love for one another against you. He will break your trust and one or both of you will die. Just like fifty years ago with myself and Inuyasha. Be careful. Do not let Naraku see your blooming relationship. If you wish to survive, keep it a secret. I do not wish to see you end up like me, my dear reincarnation."
With one more nod in Kagome's direction, Kikyo turned on her heel and back to whence she came. Kagome watched her go before sliding down the trunk to rest on the soft grass below. She mulled over the warning Kikyo gave her. It wasn't a threat, it was truly a caveat. Kikyo made it clear that she didn't wish to see the same fate befall Kagome.
o0o
Inuyasha was starting to get worried about Kagome. She had been gone on her walk for nearly forty-five minutes now. She said she'd be back within ten minutes. "Stupid wench. Doesn't she know all of the dangers she could get into on her own? I better go look for her."
Inuyasha stood up from his cross-legged position on the floor of Kaede's hut. He dusted off his fire rat robes and started out the door. Once outside, a smell hit his nose. "Bones and graveyard soil? What is Kikyo doing out here? Her scent is mingling with Kagome's…KAGOME. Kikyo better not have hurt Kagome!"
Inuyasha took off into the woods, following the scent of the two mikos. When he arrived at the scene, he saw the two calmly talking. He ducked behind a tree in order to hear so he could "investigate in order to protect."
He could hear Kikyo telling Kagome of her acceptance with his new found relationship with the younger woman. Inuyasha couldn't help but crack a smile at this confession. Kikyo then proceeded with her warning of Naraku. Inuyasha's smile suddenly melted into a frown. "I haven't even though of that," he thought to himself.
A moment later, Kikyo left and disappeared into the trees. Inuyasha sat and watched Kagome as she was thinking over the information Kikyo had given her. He wondered if he should even be with Kagome anymore. He didn't want her to get hurt. Naraku would surely use her as a means to get to him if he found out! "IF he finds out," Inuyasha reminded himself. He would always love Kagome, but maybe they should hold off on their relationship for now; just until Naraku was defeated.
Kagome looked up when she heard a rustle in the bushes. When Inuyasha stepped out of the foliage, she beamed at him. Inuyasha gave his beloved a small smile. Kagome patted the ground beside her and he plopped down next to her. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
Inuyasha broke the silence. "Kagome, I heard the conversation between you and Kikyo. I think she's right. Maybe we should hold off on our relationship until Naraku is good and dead." Kagome could only stare at Inuyasha. Did he not want to be with her anymore? Had seeing Kikyo made him rethink his decision about being with her?
"I-Inuyasha…do you not…love me anymore?" Kagome could feel the tears welling up behind her stormy eyes. ** Inuyasha grasped her small hands between his own larger ones. "That's not it at all! I love you, Kagome, with all my heart. I just don't want to see you hurt."
"We both knew what the risks were when we started this," Kagome whispered. "At least I knew." Inuyasha heard the sadness in her voice and it caused his ears to droop. He was slowly losing his nerve but this was for the best. He had to protect Kagome! He'd never forgive himself if anything happened to her! And he told her so.
Kagome gave a wry chuckle. "Sure, Inuyasha, you keep on telling yourself that. I think I need to go home for awhile. Please don't follow me." She stood up and walked in the direction of the village to retrieve her things. Inuyasha reached his hand up to her, "Kagome…" but she interrupted him with a scathing look. He jerked his hand back as if he just touched a hot stove.
o0o
When Kagome got back to the village, Sango noticed she wasn't the bubbly and happy Kagome she usually was. "Kagome, what happened?" When Kagome broke out into tears, Sango hugged her friend to her chest and led her to the hut. Kagome told Sango of the meeting with Kikyo and the conversation with Inuyasha afterwards. After a few hugs and comforting words, Sango walked Kagome to the well. The two women bid their farewells and parted ways.
When Sango got back to Kaede's hut, Inuyasha was sitting against the farthest wall, a forlorn expression riddled across his usually gruff features. Sango sat down beside the half dog demon and just stared at him for a moment. "Did I do the right thing?" he asked out of the blue. Sango was stunned. "Since when does Inuyasha question his decisions?"
"I think you did. You're only doing what's best for her. Kagome needs a few days to come to terms with the new situation. Just because you two can't have a relationship on this side of the well doesn't mean you two can't be together in her era." Inuyasha's ears perked at this.
"You're a genius, Sango!" Inuyasha enveloped Sango in a bear hug. The two laughed then separated. Just then Miroku walked in. Inuyasha danced up to the monk and lifted him in the air and twirled the holy man in circles. He placed Miroku back on the ground and ran outside to squeeze Shippo.
"What was that about?" Miroku gazed at the entrance of the hut and scratched his head. Sango told him of the situation and he sat beside her and gave her a gentle hug. "Ah, my sweet Sango, you indeed are a genius." Sango leaned into his arm as he slowly slid his arm down to her waist, but she was paying no mind to it. Well, not until a certain hand ended up groping her posterior.
"PERVERT," she screeched and knocked the houshi in the chest with her fist. With that, the demon slayer stormed out of the hut in order to supervise Inuyasha's rough house with the young kitsune.
"That was worth the pain," Miroku wheezed as he rubbed the newly formed bruise on his chest.
I hope this chapter makes up for my absence on this story. Oh, the DRAMA. :D
*In this story, Kagome doesn't hate Kikyo. That was just an expression. It does in no way reflect Kagome's feelings for Kikyo, or my own for that matter. I AM NOT A KIKYO HATER.
**In the manga, Kagome has stormy blue-gray eyes. And I am using my creative license to give her these color eyes in my stories. SO NO EFFING FLAMES ABOUT HER EYE COLOR.