A Change of Heart
Chapter 13: Approaching Danger
Throughout the day, Kagome was bedridden, forced to take it easy as Inuyasha watched over her. He refused to allow her to do much of anything until her strength had returned. However, Miroku managed to steal the half-demon away for a few moments in order to get the details of how he was able to bring Sesshomaru here. After all, the Lord of the West wasn't the type to save a girl who befriended his loathed brother.
After he got the full story, Miroku allowed him to return to Kagome's side as he beckoned Sango near the stream, out of Inuyasha's hearing. "What is it, Miroku?" she asked, coming to stand beside him with Kirara in her arms.
"It seems as though Inuyasha had some trouble when confronting Sesshomaru," he replied, a grim expression on his face.
"I would think so," she said with a sneer. "That guy never wants to offer his assistance when Inuyasha needs help."
The monk nodded. "I understand. It turns out that our friend had undergone a demon transformation which enabled him to somehow convince Sesshomaru to come."
Sango's eyes widened in shock. "Inuyasha turned full demon? And he was able to control it?"
"Perhaps it was because Kagome was on his mind at the moment of transforming. After all, he asked for his brother's help only for her sake."
"I see," she replied, her eyes drifting toward the hut. "We better not mention this to Kagome. She already feels guilty for everything that happened."
"I agree." The two of them began their trek to the village, hoping to gather supplies. After Kagome was well enough, they would once again continue their search for Naraku and the jewel shards.
As the sun began to set, sending golden hues throughout the sky, Kagome sunk down into the steamy mist of the hot springs. Sango joined her moments later. They sat in silence for a while before the time-traveling girl spoke her thoughts. "What happened," she asked, unsure if it was okay to bring it up just yet. "When I was ... " Her voice trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. It was still hard to believe that she had been dead for almost an entire day.
The demon slayer glanced over at the distraught girl, understanding in her eyes. "Inuyasha fell to pieces. He blamed himself for not getting back sooner."
Kagome's brows drew together in confusion. "I don't understand. Wasn't he with Kikyo?"
She shook her head with a sad smile. "You see, he went back to your era to get medicine to help with your wounds. When he returned, he was unable to sense you, immediately alerting him to potential danger. It took only moments for him to realize you were with her." Sango paused a moment in her story, causing Kagome to peer up at her.
Their eyes met and she continued. "Kikyo had constructed a barrier, allowing only you to enter. Inuyasha tried to use Tetsusaiga to break it down, but it failed and he ... he watched her shoot a sacred arrow. As soon as you were hit, the barrier dropped and he ran to your side." Pain crossed the young woman eyes as she realized the half-demon had watched his former beloved kill her.
"You died in his arms," Sango stated, looking down at the water.
She felt an arm on her shoulder and glanced up to see Kagome's comforting gaze. "It's alright. I'm okay now."
"It was chaotic," she said with a small smile. "Kouga was upset and then Sesshomaru showed up. Everything happened so fast, its like it never happened at all." Sango bit her lip to hold back her tears. "You don't know what your death did to everyone." Her voice cracked from the threatening cries.
Wishing to soothe the woman's pain, Kagome pulled her into an embrace. "Everything is going to be fine, Sango. I'm alive." The demon slayer nodded against her shoulder, allowing warm tears to cascade down her flushed cheeks.
Inuyasha leaned up against a tree, listening intently to the daily activities of the village. His mind was wandering to over the last twenty-four hours, still unable to grasp the concept. Kagome had died. She had been dead, much like Kikyo had been. The close proximity to losing her came crashing down around him and he couldn't help but clench his fist. He almost failed as a protector again. Would he ever be able to do anything right?
Soft approaching footsteps alerted him to Kagome's presence as she took a seat beside him. Silence hovered in the air for a moment before Inuyasha sat down as well. "I'm sorry, Kagome ... about what happened." She turned to look at him, pity crossing her expression at the guilt in his eyes. "I wasn't there for you and it was my feelings for Kikyo that put you in that situation."
She hugged her knees close to her chest and looked out toward the village. "It's alright, really."
"It is not okay!" he yelled, turning to look at her. "I let you get into serious danger!"
Kagome shifted her gaze to him. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha. It was my fault that I wandered off. When I sensed Kikyo's soul collectors, I didn't have any second thoughts."
His gaze softened. Kagome didn't trust him. In the end, the blame rested on his shoulders. "You're really blaming yourself, aren't you?"
She sighed and turned away from him. "Yeah, I guess." He was about to say something to counteract, but she heaved another sigh. Inuyasha would never forget Kikyo, that much was true, but the love Kagome felt for him refused to allow her to leave him.
They sat there side by side for some time, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars began to twinkle in the midnight sky. Inuyasha stole a glance at her. I will always be here by your side, Kagome. I love you. He returned his gaze to the moon and allowed a soft smile touched his lips, knowing she returned his feelings.
"Impudent wench!" Naraku bellowed, a scowl adorning his face as his anger took control of him. The scene of Kagome's resurrection faded from Kanna's mirror. "Damn that Inuyasha! Even after all of this, that foolish girl is still alive?"
Kagura watched silently as her 'master' fumed about the latest foil of his plans. "Although," he thought out loud with a sneer, causing the wind sorceress to jump slightly. "Kikyo is gone and is no longer a threat. However, since she gave Kagome her soul, does that mean that Kagome has obtained her priestess powers?"
The last bits of his body fused together as his barrier fell from around him and he was whole again. "No matter." He smiled as he shrugged on his kimono. "I'll destroy you yet."
He wrapped himself in a cloud of miasma and shot out of his castle into the sky, chuckling as he neared his destination.
Kagome awoke early as the rays of the rising sun hit her face. She was so warm, snuggled up in someone's arms that she didn't want to open her eyes and start the day. But as reality would have it, she needed to begin making breakfast and prepping everyone for the journey they were sure to make today. After all, now that she was almost fully recovered, it was time for them to continue their quest for the Sacred Jewel shards and their hunt for Naraku.
She opened her eyes and gazed around her. The villagers were still quiet as they began to rouse from sleep, readying themselves for the day of work ahead. Kagome sighed and tried to stretch, but found she couldn't move. A pair of arms were wrapped tightly around her.
Glancing up at her captor, she realized Inuyasha was still asleep. He wore a peaceful expression and his breathing was calm. The girl blushed and quietly tried to remove herself from his grip without waking him. Inuyasha must have been pretty worn-out from the experience, for he didn't even stir when she finally freed herself.
The rest of the gang was still quiet in the hut, so Kagome decided to go for a little walk, careful to stay close so Inuyasha could easily pick up her scent. Thoughts ran through her mind a mile a minute as she recalled falling asleep the night before. Why did she wake up in his arms? Did she sleep with him all night like that? Her cheeks flushed at the thought. She loved Inuyasha, that much was certain, but he couldn't return her feelings, could he? After all, he was still in love with Kikyo.
Shaking her head to rid her thoughts of the dead priestess, Kagome tried to concentrate on other matters. She faintly recalled what had happened before her untimely demise. They had been battling Naraku. She clutched her left arm where the wound used to be. After that, she had been taken to Kaede's hut for treatment. She woke up, was unable to find Inuyasha, and therefore set out to look for him. That's what had gotten her in this situation in the first place.
The last thing she remembered before she died was that Inuyasha was cradling her in his arms. Kagome had been about to say something to him, something improtant, but her mind just went blank. Everything after that was a complete mystery to her.
She stopped and looked around her. Without realizing it, she had ventured to the Sacred Tree. Glancing down, she found a stain in the grass where her blood had been spilt from her body as she died.
My body feels different and I don't know why. I feel stronger, but calmer at the same time. And now that Kikyo's gone, the job of completing the Sacred Jewel rests solely on my shoulders. "I better head back," Kagome mumbled aloud to herself. Inuyasha was probably wondering where she was. Turning on her heel, she headed of toward Kaede's hut.
A dark figure moved swiftly through the trees as a hoard of miasma and demons covered the sky. His crimson eyes gleamed with vengeance as he continued to hurry to the village where Inuyasha and his friends resided.
"Hey, Inuyasha," Kagome greeted as she stepped from the forest and into the clearing. He turned from where he stood, his arms crossed as his ears twitched from the sound of her voice. "I'm sorry about what happened with Kikyo. Its my fault she died." Her gaze broke away from his and peered at the ground. On her way back, she had come to this conclusion. If she hadn't been foolish enough to follow after Kikyo's soul collectors, than she wouldn't have died and Kikyo wouldn't have given her life to save her.
Suddenly, Inuyasha gripped her shoulders and she jerked her eyes upward to see anger on his face. "Don't you dare think that!" he growled. "Kikyo chose to give her life to save you. No one forced her." His expression softened and pity crossed his eyes. It's not your fault, Kagome ...
"Yeah," she replied with a defeated sigh. "I suppose you're right." She flashed him a reassuring smile.
Glancing over at the sound of approaching footsteps, the pair saw Sango step out of the hut. She stretched and looked across the horizon. Her gaze rested on Kagome and she smiled. Miroku followed behind her, as well as Shippo. Kirara meowed as she pranced up onto her mistress's shoulder.
"Well, Kagome," Miroku said, coming to stand beside her. "Do you feel well enough to travel? Or shall we rest another day?"
She shook her head. "I feel fine," she answered honestly. "We should get going. The jewel isn't going to piece itself back together."
"Keh," Inuyasha replied, crossing his arms. "Of course its not, stupid. Why would you think that?"
Kagome turned around and glared at him, clutching her hands into fists at her sides. "Inuyasha ... " she warned darkly. A 'sit' command was perched on the tip of her tongue.
"Come now, children," Kaede stated, coming out with Kagome's bag and weaponry. "Tis not the time to be fighting amongst yourselves. Perhaps you should get going before the day becomes late."
"Lady Kaede is right," Miroku replied with a serious expression. "For if the day gets too late, we shall have to find a village with beautiful women to rest-" His words were abruptly cut off as a resounding 'smack' echoed through the area.
"You pervert!" Sango yelled, her eyes flashing with rage. The monk simply smiled apologetically, scratching the back of his head.
"Come on," Inuyasha barked, beginning his way toward the next village. "We've got a lot of ground to cover."
Kagome walked over to Kaede and relieved the old woman of her bag and weapon. "Thank you, Kaede," she said softly. "For everything you've done."
"Tis my pleasure, Kagome," she replied with a smile. "Now hurry along before yer friends leave without ye."
She glanced over her shoulder and noticed the group had already walked to the edge of the forest. "Wait up, you guys!" she called, struggling to keep up with her comrades.
They paused and turned around to look at her. "What the hell, wench," the half-demon growled. "We ain't got all day, ya know."
Kagome was about to retort when suddenly her body pulsed. She stopped in her tracks and her eyes widened in fear. Her gaze surveyed the area, trying to figure out where the pull of a Sacred Jewel shard was coming from.
Inuyasha furrowed his eyebrows in concern. "Kagome?" he called, unfolding his arms and quickly running over to her. "What's wrong?"
"There's a large piece of the jewel approaching." Her eyes found his, knowing exactly who it was. "And it's coming in fast!" An ominous aura filled the air, alerting everyone to who exactly was coming toward them. They didn't have much time to respond as a dark cloud consisting of demons came across the sky.
A figure silently sprung form the trees. His crimson eyes were clouded over with malice and an evil smile spread across his lips. "Hello, Inuyasha," he greeted darkly. "Its been a long time."
The group grabbed a hold of their weapons, preparing to fight their worst enemy. Inuyasha growled low in his chest as he took a protective stance in front of Kagome. "Naraku ... "
A/N: Very sorry for the delayed update, but I do what I can. Hope you enjoyed it. Only a few more chapters left (about 2 or 3) so enjoy it while it lasts. As a side note, I have an account on fictionpress with my original pieces. So go ahead and look me up on there. Thanks for reading and please review!