DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA OR THE CHARACTERS FROM THE STORY, JUST MY OWN AND THIS STORY PLOT
Chapter Three
'His aura,' she thought to herself 'It's completely changed."
Inuyasha lifted his head to look at her, his eyes red with teal pupils. Purple marks tore across his cheeks and his fangs extended over his bottom lip as he growled. The girl straightened herself as she looked at his new features, silent memories flooding through her mind.
"Fera," he growled.
The woman righted herself completely, bowing her head only the slightest, keeping a cautious eye on him.
"Lord Inuyasha."
Inuyasha straightened himself and relaxed his hands, letting them lay at his sides. Fera let her head remain bent forward as she waited for some type of reaction of him. In an instant, Kagome threw herself into his chest hugging him tightly. Fera righted herself and stepped forward, her arms extended to her to stop her from making some type of mistake, when a growl from low in Inuyasha chest stopped her in her tracks. She lowered her eyes and back stepped, placing her hands in one another in front of her.
The rest of the group ran up, remaining at a cautious distance causing Inuyasha to growl louder. Kagome shrugged her shoulders and buried her teary eyes into her arm, hugging him tightly.
"Please," she begged "Don't change Inuyasha. Please don't change!"
He looked down to her, his body still tense in his anger. She kept her face buried in his chest her tears silently seeping through his shirt. He clenched his fists as he took in the scent of her salty tears. He growled in anger and Kagome sobbed harder. He clenched his teeth and bit down on his lip, drawing blood. A droplet dripped onto Kagomes forehead, and she looked up to him in worry.
He looked into her watery eyes and his muscles relaxed slightly.
"Inuyasha," she pleaded "Please. Please don't change. I love you as you are Inuyasha."
He flinched at her declaration and she looked to him for a moment before jumping to her tip toes and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling herself the rest of the way and pressing her lips to his. His eyes widened and everyone went rigid.
The world froze, and nothing or anyone was there but the two of them. Inuyasha stood frozen, stunned by Kagomes actions. After a moment, he closed his eyes and wrapped one of his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground and pressing her closer to him. His other hand came up behind her head and he twisted his long claws into her hair, deepening the kiss.
Kagomes body automatically responded to his, her hand snaking from the back of his neck and into his hair. After a few exciting moments, Inuyasha pulled out of the kiss. Kagome looked to him to see that his markings were gone and his eyes were slowly returning to their amber color. Reliefe flooded her eyes and more tears flowed. Inuyasha put her down and wiped the tears away, his fingers resting on her cheeks when he felt the heat coming from them. He smiled and leaned down placing his forehead to hers, chuckling lightly.
"What?" she asked quietly.
"Your blushing, Kagome," he replied lightly.
Kagome took in a breath to say something when someone clearing their throat in the background got their attention. The two turned to see the group, faces slightly red and smirks on them, just staring at the two. Inuyasha cleared his throat next and Kagome took a step back from him, crossing her arms uncomfortably. Inuyasha suddenly seemed to snap out of a daze and looked around the group, not seeing Fera anywhere. He wrinkled his nose snorted, shaking his head before returning his attention back to the party they had come from.
The people of the village had broken up the party and had gone to their separate homes, leaving the big bon fire from the center of the ville roaring with enthusiasm, as if nothing could bother it. Kaede walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at her, a reassuring smile on her face.
"They will be fine. It's been too long since we last had the jewel home, too much time of peace. They will soon become accustomed to much disruption," She said with a slight chuckle.
"Kaede," he said quietly "Fera said that Kagome could not keep the jewel purified. How did she mean it?"
Kaede raised an eyebrow and looked to the rest of the group, motioning for them all to follow her. The group complied and they all walked quietly behind the priestess.
After a few minutes of talking, the group stopped in front of the jewel shards shrine, in the center of the village. The group looked on at the large, decorative building, Kirara backing away hissing with her fur on edge. Inuyasha coughed and covered his nose with the sleeve of his kimono. Kagome put her hand on his shoulder as Sango picked up Kirara and wrapped her muzzle in her sash.
"Lady Kaede," Miroku spoke up "What is this smoke?"
"Tis an herbal mixture designed to detur demons from stealing the jewel," she replied.
"Kaede, the jewel," Kagome said as she walked towards the door to the shrine "I can feel its different."
"How do ye mean child?"
"I don't know," she replied confused, taking another step towards the doors "Its stronger, but its….just different."
Kagome stopped moving forward and doubled over, holding her head. She shut her eyes and clenched her jaw, her breathing becoming ragged. Inuyasha and Kaede ran to her side, Sango and Shippo calling to her as she fell to her knees. Inuyasha looked to Kaede in anger, demanding what was going on when Kagomes body went rigid, then suddenly relaxed, falling to the side. Inuyasha grabbed her and turned her over to see her unconscious with a pained look on her face.
"Inuyasha," a playful voice sounded.
The golden eyed boy turned and smiled, holding out his arms as a long black haired beauty ran into them. She hugged him and snuggled into his chest smiling sweetly.
"Kikyo," he replied happily "Where is all this enthusiasm coming from?"
"Inuyasha, I'm just so happy. I consulted with a trusted friend. He confirmed that the jewel can in fact be used to turn you human, and then it will cease to be. It will be purified to extinction. We can be together."
Inuyasha smiled brightly and leaned down, taking her face in his hands gently and pressing his lips to hers. She sighed contendedly and reached her arms around his neck, pressing herself against his chest. They broke apart after a few moments and she snuggled herself against his chest.
Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, resting his head against hers, inhaling her sweet scent. He smiled lightly and kissed the top of her head, pulling away and taking her hand in his leading her away. They walked through the trees for what seemed like forever until they finally reached a clearing in the forest.
Kikyo inhaled loudly as she looked on at the millions of flowers that covered the clearnings floor. She looked around with wide eyes before finally looking back to Inuyasha. She smiled brightly and threw herself onto him in a hug, whispering softly.
"I love you Inuyasha."
There was a pause, and then, "I love you too Kikyo."
Kagome woke up with sweat drenching her clothes. She looked down to realize that Kaede had changed her into a preiestess' kimono. Before she had a chance to take in where she was, Inuyasha came bursting through the veil that was the door, a look of worry on his face.
"Kagome, you're awake. Are you ok? What happened?"
Kagome just looked to him before standing. Inuyasha walked over to her and reached for her, a look of surprise on his face when she shoved his hands away. She looked to the floor and Inuyasha took a step back when he smelled the tangy scent of salt.
"Kagome," he said his voice low and worried.
"Don't touch me!" she yelled and ran around him.
Inuyasha stood there for a moment, stunned, before turning and running through the veil after her.
"Kagome!"
Kagome never turned, but kept running. She heard Inuyasha yelling in the background but she couldn't hear him coming after her. Good. She didn't want to see him. She wanted to see Kikyo. She never stopped, just ran until her legs went numb. She ran until she couldn't run anymore. She ran until she came to a clearning, with millions of flowers covering the floor.
She stopped, and dropped to her knees. Tears flew freely from her eyes as she looked around the clearing. Images of Kikyo and Inuyasha here filling her mind. She focused all of her energy and closed her eyes, thinking of Kikyo. She wished she could be here. She didn't understand why, but she needed to talk to Kikyo. More tears fell as she thought of the kiss she had shared with Inuyasha earlier. Of how their lips moved together….when her thoughts were interrupted.
"Why have you summoned me here?"
Kagome looked up as stood, surpised to see Kikyo standing not 10 feet from her. Her mouth fell open, and she closed it, over and over again. Kikyo raised an eyebrow and spoke again, an edge of irritation in her voice.
"Why have you summoned me here Kagome?"
"I…I didn't," she stammered.
Kikyo looked to her for a moment before taking a few steps closer. She straightened herself and Kagome saw in the setting sunlight that her eyes were more dull than usual. There were black bags under her eyes that made her look more pale than she was, at least more pale than she was the last time Kagome had seen her anyway.
"Priestess' have many abilities Kagome. Summoning each other is a simple task, apparently even for one who isn't trained enough."
"I'm not a priestess Kikyo. Im not anything important."
Kagome looked to the flowers at her feet as another tear streaked down her cheek. Kikyo took in a breath and looked around before speaking softly.
"This clearing. Inuyasha showed me this clearing a long time ago."
Kagome bowed her head slightly, her voice fragile as she spoke.
"I know. I saw that today."
Kikyo turned and looked to her from the corner of her eye, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"How do you mean?"
Kagome sighed before explaining, tears welling in her eyes and her voice catching as she spoke. Kikyo stood there, silently listening.
"Inuyasha, what happened? Where is Kagome?" Sango demanded after hearing him yell for her.
Inuyasha turned on her with anger and confusion in his voice, "I don't know Sango! I was sitting outside the door when I heard her wake up. I went in to ask if she was ok and she yelled at me and took off crying!"
Sango shook her head as Miroku rubbed his chin. Shippo sniffled and hugged Kirara, crying as he spoke.
"Kagome would never just leave me. What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything you little runt," he snarled back at the boy.
"Inuyasha, yelling at Shippo will help nothing," Miroku interjected "We have to figure out why she left and in such a hurry. You said she was crying?"
Inuyasha nodded, "Yea and when she left she yelled at me not to touch her."
Miroku nodded before excusing himself and walking away, mumbling about something or other. Inuyasha sighed and shook his head before lowering it, while Sango picked up Kirara and Shippo, hugging them closely as they sadly cradled themselves into her neck.
A light breeze blew through the village and Inuyasha stiffened. He lifted his head and looked in the direction of the wind.
'Kagome,' he thought to himself before wrinkling his nose 'And Kikyo?'
Inuyasha took off at full speed in the direction of the wind, worry tightening every muscle in his body as he ran with everything he had.
Kagome stood there, looking at the Bone Eaters well. A feeling of complete emptiness as she walked up to the edge, looking down into the well. Kikyo stood behind her, watching her as she looked at the well. Kagome sighed before she turned back to face Kikyo, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"Kikyo, I wanted to talk to you here."
"Why here?"
"This well," she said trying to relax her breathing "Was made from wood from the sacred tree you pinned Inuyasha to wasn't it?"
Kikyo nodded, still questioningly eyeing her as she continued.
"I am your reincarnation Kikyo, nothing more. Inuyashas feelings for me are just a reflection of what they are for you," she said dipping her head low "You are the one he loves. He just sees you in me."
"Kagome, that is not true," she replied walking towards the girl, stopping an arms length away from her "Kagome, I am of the dead. I survive on the souls my soul seekers gather for me. I do not belong here."
"Neither do I," Kagome said emotionally as she looked up at the priestess "I'm from another world. The only reason I'm here is because of the jewel. Inuyasha would have never known about me if not for you."
Kikyo silently stood there examining the girl before choosing her next words carefully.
"Kagome, I am losing myself. Now that you have defeated Niraku and the Sacred Jewel is now whole again, I have no reason to exsist. I found a reason to remain here so long as I had something to take care of, but without the turmoil of everything I can finally relax."
Kagome looked to her and shook her head, reaching for her arm and speaking hurriedly.
"No, that isn't true. You are here for Inuyasha!"
Kikyo pulled her arm away lightly and looked Kagome in the eye, speaking seriously.
"Do you not love him Kagome?"
Kagome froze, her eyes welling with fresh tears. She closed her eyes and shook her head, clenching her hands into fists and yelling emotionally.
"Of course I do!" she paused "That's why I cant stay."
Kikyo tilted her head confused, "How does that make sense?"
"I'm a human and he's a half demon. He was willing to turn human for you, but with me he only ever spoke of using the jewel to become a full demon," she sat on the ledge of the well and sighed dissheartedly "I came here to help him find the shards. I was his detector. I have no purpose anymore, and he doesn't feel the same for me. I've always come second to you Kikyo. You are back, and he will always love you with all his heart. I belong in my world now."
Kikyo stood before closing her eyes and speaking slowly, "Kagome. You have no way to get home. The Sacred Jewel is what transported you back and forth. Your spiritual powers are not enough to get you through the barrier without proper training.
"But yours are," Kagome said standing and looking to her hopefully.
Inuyasha reached the tree line and kept running after the all too familiar scents. After a while he could see Kikyos soul collectors..and a strange purple light. He put every ounce of energy he had into his run, bursting through the trees to see Kikyo standing at the edge of the Bone Eaters well, and a flash of a white Kimono going down.
