Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.


Remembrance

Inuyasha couldn't sleep. Getting up, he walked to the wicker chest, removed the top item, then crept outside.

Seated on the porch, he examined the emerald cloth in the moonlight, careful not to snag it with his claws. It smelled distinctly different from human-made silk, though any youki had long since been purified.

Why had Kaede given to Aimiko, what had once belonged to Kikyo? Ever since she had given it, and told the story of how Kikyo had obtained the youkai silk, his mind had been stuck on thinking about her. He didn't want to dwell on thoughts about his former love: he hadn't thought much about her in years. But, now, as if his thoughts were a fly stuck in a spiderweb, he could not stop himself from thinking about her, remembering, and feeling nervous and apprehensive.

The shoji slid back. "Hey."

He looked up. Kagome stood there, dressed in a simple yukata, a snoozing Aimiko in her baby sling. She smiled, sitting beside him. "Can't sleep?"

He looked away, shoulders hunching. "The cloth … it made me … I—I've been thinking about Kikyo all day."

"What's wrong with that?"

Inuyasha looked at her, startled. "You don't mind?"

Kagome smiled. "Why should I? She was important to you and Kaede. She was important to the village. Why shouldn't you remember Kikyo? Don't you, doesn't Kaede, want to tell stories about Kikyo, to keep her memory alive?"

Inuyasha stared at her, finally recalling the times they had spent that first year or so, talking about Kikyo. He remembered times when he had overheard Kagome asking Kaede about her sister. He relaxed, apprehension draining away. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he pulled Kagome close.

"You're right," he murmured, nuzzling her hair and sighing. "Thank-you."

She snuggled. "Silly dog-boy."

"Keh."


Author's Note: This was written for the prompt "Spiderweb" for the At First Tweak LiveJournal community. It was originally posted on April 4, 2012. It took third place.

This follows the events in chapter 4, Sousobe, and references the story "Spider Silk."

(12/26/2012)