A Change of Heart
Chapter 6: Awakening
A scream pierced through the sky, alerting villagers who were getting ready to bed down for the night. A few heads peeked out from their huts before returning to their nightly duties, used to the constant trouble concerning the old priestess's hut on the outskirts of the town. Ever since the half-demon and his friends had made camp there, all sorts of problems had occurred daily. The towns folk paid no mind, knowing that although the group was strange, they were capable of defending the small village against any demon attack.
Miroku glanced up from looking at a shop selling ancient scriptures and his gaze followed the direction of the sound. "Kagome ... " he mumbled, immediately rushing off. Dreaded thoughts crossed his mind, all of them involving fatal injuries or death to the young woman. These ideas only caused him to push his legs faster as he ran out of the village and up the hill towards Kaede's hut.
When he arrived, he saw Inuyasha sprinting in the opposite direction. He stopped in his tracks as the half-demon passed him. "Inuyasha, wait! Where are you going?!" Miroku shouted, watching as red disappeared into the forest. He looked back and ran into the hut, confusion crossing his eyes.
Sango was huddled in the corner, her arms wrapped around her knees, as she gazed upon Kagome's sleeping form. The monk's eyes softened as he walked over and sat down beside her. "Oh, Miroku ... " she whispered. "What are we going to do? I feel so helpless, just sitting here, not being able to help her while she's in pain."
"I know, Sango," he soothed, embracing her shoulders gently. Her head willingly bent into his chest. "Kagome is strong-willed. There is no need to worry. Besides," he said with a smile. "Inuyasha would not allow any harm to come to her."
It seemed to quell her fears for the time being, but she still felt nauseous at the thought of what was to happen to the priestess. She had already lost her entire family, her comrades, and the place she called home. She couldn't handle another shot to the heart. Miroku knew his words were little comfort, but it was all he could give. He continued to whisper reassurance to Sango as her eye lids slowly closed, a single tear sliding down her cheek.
Although he wished to stay awake to watch over Kagome and wait for Inuyasha's return, the monk felt his own weariness creep up on him. They hadn't yet healed from their encounter with Naraku. It wasn't long before he closed his eyes and sleep overcame him.
True to his word, Inuyasha would rather die then see harm come to Kagome. He was her protector, damn it! Why did he have to fail at the times he was needed most? These thoughts continued to circulate in his head as he jumped through the bone-eater's well, all the while trying to come up with what to say to Kagome's mother. Not only was he afraid to admit he was unable to protect Kagome, but he was afraid she would shun him like so many others had.
Never the less, he would go through that torment, if only to save Kagome's life. Stealth-like, he crept through the shadows of the shrine grounds, avoiding the glows of the lights scattered about and side stepping the old man sweeping the path. He wasn't up to the geezer rambling on about pointless things, especially when a girl's life was at stake. "Hey, Inuyasha," Souta called out, stopping the half-demon in his path. "What'cha doin' creeping around like that?"
He turned around to see Kagome's younger brother coming up the stairs, soccer ball in hand. "Nothin'," he replied nonchalantly, his eyes glancing nervously between the door and Souta's confused expression. "Your mom around?"
"Yeah, she's in the kitchen," was his reply before he smiled and headed inside, inviting Inuyasha to follow. The house was warm and cozy, evident of the open oven and the smell of food in the air. "Mom, Inuyasha's here."
A young woman in her mid-thirties appeared from the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands off on a dish towel. "Hello, is Kagome with you?" were the first words out of her mouth, followed by a smile. It was one thing to handle Kagome when she was screaming and yelling at him, but it was a whole different story when you were faced with Ms. Higurashi; always calm and serene, never outright angry. That's what frightened him.
"Uh, no," he stuttered, slipping his hands into his kimono sleeves. "Actually, that's what I gotta talk to you about." He swallowed the lump in his throat and waited for her response.
Her smile faltered for a moment, dropping into a tight line, as she stopped the motions with her hands. "Souta, why don't you go upstairs and put away your things." The young boy looked between the two for a moment, giving his mother a concerned glance, before doing as he was told. As soon as the sound of his footsteps faded, Ms. Higurashi set aside the towel and motioned for Inuyasha to take a seat. "What happened?" she asked softly.
He stared down at the table for a moment, wishing he had something to occupy his hands. "If you were in a lot of pain," he explained, not yet meeting her gaze. "What would you do?"
She stared at him for a long while until his amber eyes fixed upon her own. "Pain," she echoed. Kagome had told her bits and pieces about what happened on the other side of the well, but if Inuyasha was coming back to the present alone and spoke about some sort of pain, only worried thoughts crossed her mind. "What kind of pain?"
The half-demon swallowed and averted his gaze. He shouldn't be stalling like this, knowing someone needed him. "Like a lot of pain," he explained vaguely.
Kagome's mother pursed her lips and sat there patiently, thinking over his words. No doubt it had something concerning her daughter. "Well," she finally said, standing up. "I don't know exactly what has happened, but I'll do what I can." Releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding, she walked out of the kitchen.
A moment later, she came back with a first aid kit and set it down on the table. "These won't help much, but its better then nothing." She was silent for a moment as she studied the young man before her. "Inuyasha," she pleaded, gaining his attention. "If this is life-threatening, I need to know."
He gulped under her gaze before diverting his eyes. "Uh ... "
A black void was stretched out before her as another wave of pain washed over her worn and aching body. "Please stop ... " Kagome mumbled, but her plea went unheard. Agony continued to shoot through what seemed like every muscle in her, making her bite her lip to hold back the tears. She struggled to open her eyes, only to be met with darkness. The only source of light came from the moon, shining through the small window of Kaede's hut. She turned her head to gaze at her comrades.
Five forms slept soundly, scattered about. Everyone was accounted for except for the one she desperately wanted to see. She struggled to sit up, but the strain in her muscles kept her from doing so. Taking a moment to regain some lost strength, Kagome lay still and stared up at the hut's ceiling.
Memories of the battle they had faced came flooding back. She remembered throwing herself at Naraku in one last attempt to kill him, but she knew she it had been in vain. The throbbing sensation in her head and that of her stomach reminded her of that fact. Pressing her hand against her wounded abdomen, she tried to recall how old the injuries were. She had a feeling she had been out for some time. But one thing continued to make its way into her mind.
Inuyasha had been hurt.
Where is he? She silently asked, her eyes skimming the room's occupants once more. Where is Inuyasha? Silencing a scream in her throat, she moved and twisted the injury to her abdomen. As the young priestess sat up, the throbbing in her head seemed to amplify ten-fold and her left arm was almost useless; it was numb and hung limp at her side. Struggling, she pushed herself into a standing position, leaning against the wall as a support.
Kagome's desire to see Inuyasha seemed to push away all the pain and agony, giving her body strength to move forward. She had to see him. She had to make sure he was alright. Her mind would not rest until she found him, safe and sound.
Biting her lip, the time-traveling girl ignored the searing twinge of discomfort. She carefully made her way over to the door, pulling it aside to gaze out towards the quiet village. Her eyes scanned the darkness, looking for signs of her beloved half-demon.
Her heart skipped a beat as orbs of white light hovered above the Sacred Tree, giving her a clue to where he might be. "Kikyo ... " she mumbled dejectedly. Her face fell at the thought of the dead priestess. "He went and saw Kikyo. Of course he did. Why wouldn't he?" she whispered into the soft breeze, tears stinging her eyes. He loves her.
Although her heart cried tears of crimson, she had to see him, even if it meant being hurt again. Her body seemed to scream in protest, but her feet shuffled through the grass and she grasped onto objects in which to support herself. After a few minutes of agonizing torture, she felt slight relief flood through her veins as she reached the edge of the forest. The orbs of white light became clearer and she could feel them calling to her. A chill resonated through her soul as the barrier set up around the Sacred Tree allowed her entrance.
Confusion passed through her eyes, her senses on high alert. Why had she been able to pass through Kikyo's barrier? And why it there in the first place? Her immediate thoughts were to turn around and flee the scene, but the image of Inuyasha's wounded form pressed her onward. Kagome leaned against a nearby tree, trying to regain her strength. During her battle to reach these Sacred grounds, her wound had reopened and blood was beginning to soak through her shirt. She clutched at her stomach, fighting to try and close the wound once more, all the while scanning the trees for signs of her beloved half-demon.
After a moment of failure on both attempts, she pushed off the rough bark, using the remaining trees as guidance. Eventually, the forest thinned and a clearing came into view. The ghostly priestess, Kikyo, stood next to the God tree, staring at the approaching girl. It seemed as if she had been waiting for her. The undead woman's eyes gleamed over with dull hatred as the souls of the dead hovered in the air.
The injured priestess stared at Kikyo before collapsing to her knees. A grunt sounded from her throat as her hands flew out, bracing herself. She quickly regretted such a brash move as pain prickled through her left arm. She bowed her head, grimacing from the torture. Where is Inuyasha? Her eyes searched the ground below her, watching her blood stain the grass. Shouldn't he be here?Her body was paralyzed as its strength wore down, but not before she willed her head to look up and see Kikyo's cold stare.
"Foolish girl," the woman spoke, her lips formed in a tight line. "You are pathetic. Inuyasha has left, leaving you to die." She walked towards Kagome, her steps graceful. "Do you actually believe he loved you? Do you think he cared?" When the injured girl's eyes filled with hurt and tears threatened to spill, Kikyo smiled.
What does she mean? Inuyasha left me? No ... he would never do that. Doubt crossed her mind as the elder woman's stare bore into her own. Kikyo reached for the Jewel Shard around her reincarnation's neck, inches from her grasp. "No ... " Kagome whispered weakly. "You can't ... have it."
Her hand stopped as Kagome's words sunk in. "Impudent wench! Who is going to stop me?" Reaching into the depths of her soul, Kagome found her strength returning, determination fueling each move of her muscles. She lifted her hands off the ground and came to a kneeling position. Taking the opportunity, Kikyo ripped the Jewel from the girl's neck. "I will use these shards to defeat Naraku." With a final glance, Kikyo turned on her heel towards the Sacred Tree.
As the distance grew between the two women, Kagome managed to stand, slightly leaning forward from the pain. She clutched her stomach as she coughed, causing blood to shoot from her mouth. "I can't let you take it." Slowly, the girl struggled forward, her legs feeling like lead.
Kikyo turned around before she could come within arm's reach of the tree. Her eyes watched the young priestess carefully as she staggered towards her, knowing Kagome was in a great deal of agony. "Fool," she mumbled, pulling an arrow from her quiver. "Do you honestly believe you stand a chance?" Her face absent of emotion, Kikyo brought her bow and arrow together as she aimed them at Kagome's heart.
A/N: Not many reviews for the past chapter, but its all good. I'm sorry for the delay and I hope you enjoyed this one. Please review!