04-14-10: Sorry this has taken soooo long for me to write! I went back to school on the 16th of February and while I have no homework I get home and I'm just really tired. I got the flu over the March Break and I think I'm sick again and have to see the doctors next week -sadface- but yeah my birthday is on Friday and I just wanted to finish off this chapter before I turn 15. Yes I'm a baby. ]: I HOPE YOU ENJOY ITTTT

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You're Kinda, Sorta, Basically, Pretty Much, Always On My Mind.

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I Don't Own Inuyasha

"Talking"

55. Aftershock

I twisted the dripping wet cloth over a small wide pail of water before touching it to Inuyasha's cheek. He was unconscious but doing far better than before. I carefully cleansed his cheeks of the dried blood and with a soft sigh, moved up to his forehead.

"It's alright Kaori-sama." I heard Miroku say. "With those wounds he shouldn't be moving about but as long as he stays put and receives your tentative love and care, he should make a full recovery within a few days."

I blushed, dropping the cloth into the bucket. "I know.." I twisted toward Sango, who watched me thoughtfully from the other side of the room. "Sango are you alright?"

"Just about.." she replied. "By the way, are you certain that Naraku has most of the Shikon no Tama?"

"Positive.."

We were in a run down old shack, camouflaged between a hill, and mound of rocks. With the fresh snowfall covering our tracks, and the density of the forest, it would be a miracle if anyone found us here.

But still, my mind was full of chaos. Kikyou had given Naraku the Shikon no Tama.. Did that mean that all her words the week before had been a lie? Although... I thought back to that night. She had said nothing of.. of anything about her affections.. at least after I had arrived.. But still.. her actions had put Inuyasha in danger.. Did that mean that in reality she hated him? That she didn't care if he died..? I gazed at Inuyasha's agonized face and felt a pain hit my heart. How could she do such a thing..?

The hiss of the pot boiling over brought me away from my thoughts and I turned away from Inuyasha for a moment. I pulled the modern pot off the grill over the flames and glanced up to Miroku, ready to ask him if he could find salvage more vegetables under the snow.. but Miroku was not where he should have been and neither was Shippo. Instead I found the steady soft breathing of a sleeping Sango and watched as Kirara stepped outside. I was alone. How could I have not heard them leave?

I swallowed, suddenly on edge and grabbed my backpack. I pulled out my journal and flipped to the page with an easy boiled vegetable recipe scribbled down from my mother. Then I found the last bundle of giant vegetables from our village separated them, counting inventory. Okay, good, I had everything. I gathered the vegetables in my arms and plopped them in an empty pail by the door. Then I grabbed the bucket of bloody water from Inuyasha's bedside, as well as the veggies, and quickly dashed off to the small river just outside.

There I dumped out the water, rinsed out the cloth, then after filling and dumping it out again I filled up the bucket once more for the last time. I set it to the side and went to rinsing off the food. I took it all back in, placing the water bucket far enough from the fire so that it would not boil no matter what. Then I went onto preparation and following the instructions written down in my journal, I had the herbs, spices and vegetables simmering nicely in a few minutes.

While dinner was doing its thing I went back to my backpack and continued to dig, pulling out things that would be of use. Two blankets. Small enough to be folded and fit into a bag but big enough to cover an adult. A few bowls. Spoons. Water bottles. Old newspaper. I placed everything beside me, re-zipped my backpack and returned it to the corner by the stack of firewood.

I lightly placed a blanket over each of my patients, took a sip of water, and then started a monotonous task of stuffing newspaper balls into the giant gaping holes in the wood. It was the best insulator after all.. and it would also not destroy any of the environment either.

"What are you doing?"

I jumped at the sound of Inuyasha's voice, dropping the paper sphere I had been working on. I caught it before it rolled into the fire and quickly stuffed it into a dollar sized hole by the door. "Getting rid of the draft."

I grabbed a piece of firewood, dropped it over the stack of newspapers, then, after checking dinner, dropped to my knees at Inuyasha's side.

"Did I wake you?" I asked, watching his face carefully for any sign of discomfort.

"Yes." He replied. I rolled my eyes as a smirk appeared on his face, then regretted it as he winced.

"Does it hurt?" I reached over to my bag and went back to foraging. "I'm not sure.. if I have anything left after yesterday, like Tylenol or Advil for pain.. Since I used up most of it with my headache.." I lowered my gaze as I thought that over and cursed at myself for being stupid and not realizing sooner that it had nothing to do with the snow. "But those things probably wouldn't work for your injuries now would they..? Uhm.. oh hey!" I snatched a small green and white box. "Tienchi Ginseng Tablets!! Oh I almost forgot about them!!"

Inuyasha strained to lift himself onto his elbows, his eyes never leaving me. "What?"

"It's a medicine, stupid." I said, flipping over the box. "But it even grows here, and is used in China too. Jeez you lived here way longer than me and you don't even know that?"

"Well I'm sorry, I didn't specialize in medicinal herbs growing up!" He snapped.

"Neither did I." I muttered. "Okay good for.. blah, blah, blah.. stops bleeding, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. You have pain and should stop bleeding I think. Oh wait. You can't use it if you're pregnant. Inuyasha is there any chance that you may be bearing Miroku's child?"

"Kaori!"

"I'll take that as a.. maybe?"

"Damnit! No!"

"Are you sure? I mean now that I've mentioned it, you do seem to be getting kinda fat."

He growled.

"Okay, okay" I dropped the box into my lap and groped blindly into my bag. I grabbed the last instant noodle cup and opened it. Then I took a ladle and dipped it into the saucepan and poured whatever water that was in there into the foam cup.

"What are you doing!?" Inuyasha shouted then flinched back from the pain. "That water has other junk in it.. You'll ruin it!"

"Bah!" I scoffed, dropping in the said number amount of tablets into the ramen cup and stirring till they were dissolved. I watched him carefully from the corner of my eye, ready if he decided to collapse. "It's all just extra flavor. Here, eat it."

"How do I know it's not poison?!"

"If it was poison.. No, I wouldn't even bother with poison. I'd just kill you. So you know.. it's not poison. Besides you like ramen don't you?"

He glared at me.

"Eat it, poison and all, or else I will appoint Shippo as your new Dad and make you do everything he says. And trust me, I will make you."

"Fine!" He snatched the cup from my hand as well as the chopsticks and started shoveling. I grinned at him while he ate, and he just glowered at me in return. Haha I win. Once he was finished he tossed it to the side and collapsed back onto the hay pile. I sat there frozen, waiting as he closed his eyes and his breathing returned to a slow, steady rhythm.

Finally, deciding he was asleep, I scrambled over to the garbage he had thrown away. I picked it off the floor and gazed at it then to the fire.. Maybe if I had gone camping a lot more and had more knowledge on what exploded and what didn't I would have let it burn.. but the nagging suspicion of everything flammable being explosive -besides wood- devoured me and I ended up just rising it out then tossing it back into my bag.

I checked dinner. It was ready enough. With careful hands I managed to drag the grill stand thing off the immediate flames. I placed the lid on the saucepan to slow down the cooling process and decided to leave it as it was until Miroku and Shippo returned from whatever adventure.

I sat down, bored, beside Inuyasha and looked around. This place was a mess.. but I couldn't bring myself to start cleaning. Instead I laid down on the hay and turned facing the injured hanyou boy. I watched him, as if his calm sleeping face would somehow answer the question I'd been wondering all day.

How was he taking it?

His attitude was normal, his strength was up, but he spent most of the days sleeping.. having nightmares and such. But what was going on inside? What did his heart feel? He must be hurting.. Kikyou's actions almost caused his death.. She went against us.. There was no possible way he couldn't be upset.. but.. He didn't let it show. For some reason I wanted to see.. I wanted to know.. Know if he was really crying inside..

I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep, but according to my watch it had only been about an hour since I had. I lifted myself onto my elbows and felt something warm and heavy falling limply down my back. I tensed, looking around. I was closer to Inuyasha, and he was on his side facing me. I discovered that the warm, heavy object on my back was his arm. I blushed. He was still sleeping, that was good. But as my heart gave a flutter I wondered if this had happened all on its own or had he woken up and moved me..? I yawned, lifting my hand to rub the sleep from my eyes. Oh well.. I guess it didn't really matter now.. He wouldn't tell me either way.

"So, he's alive then.. I'm glad."

I leaped to my feet. The hut was full of soul collectors and bright glowing orbs. My 'sister' stood in the door way, her long raven hair falling down to her knees. Her dark brown eyes were calm but even half-asleep I could detect traces of jealousy within them.

"Hello, Kaori."

I frowned. "Why are you here?"

"That's no way to greet your sister." Her face was hard as she looked upon me, her lips pressed together, her hands trembling. I nervously glanced over my shoulder, scared that Inuyasha would wake up any moment. I didn't want him to see her.. I didn't want her here. He didn't stir and I didn't respond.

"I heard word that Inuyasha was dead." she confessed.

"It's your fault he almost did. All because you gave the Shikon shards to Naraku.. Why..?"

"I gave it to him, in order to destroy him."

"That doesn't make any sense. All it's done is increased his powers. He's already created two youkai from his own body. It's like.. you want Inuyasha dead instead.."

She hesitated, her eyes growing dark and I braced myself. "I'm not giving his life to the likes of Naraku. He should already know that. Naraku is our hateful nemesis."

The wind picked up. I inhaled as the breeze floated through the door. Kagura. I tensed and ran, throwing myself into glaring sunlight. I heard Kikyou's footsteps behind me but paid no attention. Katanas pulsed in my palms, quickly changing to a bow and arrow. I drew, a double twang of strings and two sacred comets whizzed into the trees. A second later a woman on a feather broke through the leaves and disappeared over the horizon.

"Ran off, huh.." Kikyou mumbled. I turned around to face her. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and carefully placed an arrow back into the leather quiver on her back. "Kaori, Naraku's powers will be increasing even further from now on. And while even yourself have improved drastically.. you must improve yourself even more. Don't get killed Kaori. Don't let Inuyasha get killed either. Not until I can remove Naraku, along with the Shikon no Tama, from this world."

"What makes you so sure it'll be you to do it?" I asked.

She smiled, but it wasn't amused or filled with any happiness. "I will destroy Naraku." She walked over to me placing a cold hand on my cheek. "You've changed. The innocent little girl I once knew is there.. but covered up by a woman who's seen too many things, knows too many things. Plagued with jealousy and the fear of death. You're lonely.. We are more similar than you may think."

I pulled away from her. "It doesn't help that my sister tried to kill me."

Silence.

"It doesn't help that your actions almost caused the man you so supposedly love to die.. Are you even sure that these actions will put an end to Naraku? Are you 100% positive that you are making the right choice?"

"You love him, don't you?"

I paused. "You know I always have.."

"And him?"

"He.. needs me."

She nodded, and this time I could no longer detect the slightest trace of jealousy in her pale beautiful face. "Then as your sister, and as a woman who shares the same desires, I ask you not to fail, Kaori."

"I won't."

Our eyes met and in that moment I knew I could never hate her. She would always be my sister to me and in her eyes I thought I saw the same thing.. but it may as well have just been false hope. A small smile appeared on her face and she took a step past me then turned.

"Come with me."

I looked at the shack. "But.. Inuyasha.."

"He should be fine alone for a moment won't he?"

I looked at her. "But Kagura was just here, she could come back.."

"We'll only be a moment."

"Well.. okay.."

She held out her hand and I gave her mine. The area around us suddenly faded away and for a split second I felt as though I were walking on a cloud. The light dimmed considerably and a damp scent filled the air. Kikyou let go of my hand and took a step back. I looked around.

We were in Midoriko's cave.

The air was still and thick, and water dripped down from the cracks over head. Was it raining here?

"Why are we here?" I asked, turning to face Kikyou. She had moved herself in front of the giant mural and my heart raced. I slowly made my way to her side, keeping my eyes locked onto the faces of my parents. Mika.. and.. Hisao, maybe? Corrupt jewel, pure jewel, Midoriko's soul..

"You've been here before." Kikyou said. It wasn't a question. "Into this cave, seen this art.. The faces of your parents."

I nodded but kept my mouth shut.

"Itami Mika and.. "

"Hisao?"

Her eyes flickered to me. "Kaori, remember your dream?"

I hesitated. "How could I forget?"

"It was a lie."

"I know."

"No." She shook her head. "You were eavesdropping on us that night. I sensed your presence long before you even knew where you were. But to please, and calm Inuyasha's heart. I told him I had been merely jealous and lied to you."

A lump appeared at the back of my throat. "Y..You lied to him? So.. So that means.."

"Yes it was real, but the lie was.. also how I had discovered it." She turned back to the painting, resting a hand on my father's pant leg. "I did not ask to see it. Well.. not at the time of my death. After I had fallen down that cliff.. after Inuyasha failed to save me.."

I gasped.

"I came upon a young man. A youkai."

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. I whipped around. Two strong arms grabbed me from behind, pulling me back. I turned my head to look, viscous growls echoing around the room. It was a man, but his face was covered by a thick black hood and cloak.

I reached out a hand at my sister, begging with silent eyes as she turned with a smirk.

"Kaori, meet Shoji."

My heart thumped. "Why!? Why are you doing this!?"

"You are getting in the way of my plans, little sister."

I growled, tears streaming down my face. "I.. I HATE YOU!"

Black spots appeared before my eyes, and I felt as my body was being pulled further and further away. The darkness engulfed me, Kikyou's shocked tearful face forever burned into my mind. Kikyou.. Why?

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I stared blankly at the wood over head. My body felt numb and heavy. Dust swirled in the moon beams as I parted my lips. "Aren't you going to kill me?"

I heard the heavy foot steps of my captor come closer and then a light sigh. "Kaori-sama, I have no intentions on killing you."

"Liar." I hissed. I turned my head, my bangs falling limply over my face. I stared at my reflection in the mirror across the room. Covered by a light kimono jacket I laid down on a raised part of the floor. A thin sheet like material lay beneath me. My hair was fanned out around me and my bright blue eyes cut through the dark.

"Don't you think.." The youkai who had kidnapped me stepped into a beam of moonlight. His hair was a vivid red orange and his eyes, a even brighter blue than my own. "If I were to kill you, I would have done it already?"

"I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing but I ask you to hurry up and get it over with."

He sighed again and turned his gaze to the door. I lowered my chin and watched him carefully. He was still dressed in the same black garb, and he seemed to melt into the wall. His skin was a sickly shade of yellow in this light, and pointed ears poked through his scarlet locks.

The paper door opened a crack.

"Takaharu-sama wishes to see you now."

My captor nodded. "Thank you, Orie."

The door closed.

"Shall we go, Kaori-sama?"

I lifted myself up to my feet, throwing the blanket off of me. My new clothes caressed my skin like a warm gentle hand and I shivered. All silk. The garments I wore was a dark navy blue almost black kimono. There were slits right up from the bottom at my ankles to my hips, and I wore long tight black heeled boots that traveled up my legs till mid thighs, around the ankle a small silver ring was fastened with a black ribbon. Around my waist a gray thick string was tied and held another matching large silver ring. The kimono was short sleeves and around the V-neck collar, sea-green faded petals were printed. My hair was tied into two high pigtails with thin black ribbons.

The redhead smirked. "Glad you're being so cooperative." I said nothing and let him lead me from the room. A woman stood just outside, her large brown eyes following us carefully. "Orie."

She was short, shorter than me, with mid-length black hair tied tightly in a bun. She looked maybe 25 yet her eyes were filled with child-like fear. "I will take you to Takaharu-sama."

We followed her silently through the grounds. The castle was huge. Everywhere I looked I just saw endless buildings, walls. Mostly I saw stables, and once I saw a child with bright violet eyes lurking in the shadows. But other than that one lost human I hadn't seen nor sensed even the slightest amount of human activity. Maybe because it was in the middle of the night, but even so, there usually are a few people wandering around.

The silence around me grew tense and it suffocated me to the point of anxiety. I kept my eyes closed and my head pointed at my feet. I used my nose and ears to follow the strange man. I was scared inside. My stomach lurched and turned with every step. Where was he taking me? Who was Takaharu? Why had Kikyou let these people kidnap me? I clenched my eyes together and I conjured up a song within my mind to block out the thoughts. For the next few moments my mind was at ease as I listened to my own internal ipod.

I heard the footsteps stop and I opened my eyes. We were in a grand room. The walls were tall and the room almost seemed larger than two gymnasiums. A long the walls were bright paper doors and candles floated in mid-air around the room. A large crowd of human people stood in bright coloured kimonos in front of these paper doors and before me stood a crowd of youkai in human form along the northern wall. 'Humans' with bright orange hair, blond hair, blue, purple, green, gray, silver and even more extravagant eyes. There were purple red or black markings on each of their faces and each had tall pointed elf like ears. In front of this crowd were two wooden thrones. In one sat a man. A large man. Tan complexion, red jagged lines across the cheeks, long aquamarine blue hair, bright baby blue eyes with tints of gold. In the other a woman. Long light brown locks fell past her shoulders down to her waist and vivid green eyes, contrasting against a pale beautiful face bore into my own.

My breath caught in my throat. Easily recognized figures.

The brunette stood, a bright smile appearing on her face and held out her arms to greet me.

"Welcome home, my daughter."

End Of Chapter 55

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