Author's Note: Hey everyone! This is a long chapter to make up for the last two.. I'm going to be uploading chapters as fast as I can write them :) Thankyou for all of the reviews and for reading my fanfic :) Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall I ever own Inuyasha or any of it's characters. (Though I would like to) All original characters that did not appear in Inuyasha but do appear in this story are created solely from my awesome imagination and some with the help of my cousin Jessica Lowell :)
actions (slaps mostly)
thoughts
"mental conversations"
Kagome's P.O.V.
Wow it's great to be back! I cant believe we were gone for three days.. If I didnt feel so gross right now I might have thought everyone was crazy for saying that. Kagome was sitting in Kaede's hut with all of her friends, waiting for the stew-pot to finish cooking. Miroku and Sango were talking amongst themselves as Shippo and Kirara played with one of the kitsune's spinning tops. Inuyasha was sitting behind Kagome, staring hole's into the back of her skull. Kaede was at the fire taking care of dinner while she talked to Kagome about the events that had transpired over the last few days. Is this what I want it to be like from now on? Am I going to have to choose between the era's now? I know what I will choose but I was hoping to hold off from making a decision for while.. I want things to stay the same for now.. Minus Naraku of course. Ugh.. I just need to eat and then go to sleep. We can leave the planning for tomorrow after I've gotten some rest. Kagome was snapped out of her thoughts when she realized that everyone was staring at her, Inuyasha had come around to sit directly in front of her face.
"Can I help you with something?" I questioned the hanyou as he stared at me intensely.
"Kagome.. Are you sure your okay?" the response came from Sango as Inuyasha seemed to just continue his study of my facial features.
What is this guy's problem right now?! Why is he in my face like this? Actually why is everyone asking if I am okay?!
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I asked as I began glaring back at Inuyasha. "Why are you in my face?!" I kind of snapped at him I suppose because he jumped back and hid behind Miroku, who was also staring at me.
"Well you were staring off into space and you didnt answer when we spoke to you.." Miroku answered for the group with a slightly interested look on his face.
"Oh.. sorry about that guys I was just thinking about what comes next!" I said with a forced smile as Inuyasha came to sit next to me.
Suddenly everyone went silent as they started to think about the miko's words. The demon slayer and the monk glanced at one another a few times until the former began to hide her freshly pink cheeks by turning slightly to the side. Shippo looked at Kagome for a minute before staring into the flames of the fire in front of him with a nervous look on his face. Kagome noticed the kit's nervous look and resolved to ask him about it later as she turned to see Inuyasha staring at her again. Man did i strike a nerve with that one.. I guess everyone was thinking the same thing... My being totally out of it right now is the only reason it was said out loud i think..
"I'd like to get a house here in the village.." Miroku started as everyone was brought out of their thoughts. "Sango would you live with me?" he continued as her looked towards the demon slayer.
Everyone stared at Sango as her cheeks began to change color and she jumped at the monk with arms wide open. "Yes! Yes of course I will!" she exclaimed while hugging her fiance.
"Yay!" I yelled as a clapped my hands together and got up to hug my friends. Once I hugged both of them and told them how happy i am for them, they went back to there seats as I turned to go back to mine beside Inuyasha. That's when I notced Shippo wasnt in the hut anymore.
"Hey Inuyasha, where did Shippo go?" I asked the still seated hanyou as I continued to look around for the kit.
"I'm not his damn babysitter Kagome!" he said seemingly upset by something.
"Just tell me where he went Inuyasha! Its not that difficult!" I responded, matching his attitude with my own.
"H-He went.. outside.." Inuyasha was visibly scared as he answered me hesitantly.
"Thankyou! Was that so hard?!" I yelled back as i left the hut to find Shippo. What is his problem now?! All I asked was where Shippo went! Speaking of which why did Shippo leave the hut? He seemed nervous earlier.. Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness outside I noticed a small figure standing a small distance away from the hut. That's gotta be Shippo.
"Shippo are you alright? Why did you leave?" I asked the figure as it turned to face me. As I got closer I noticed that it didnt really look like Shippo so I stopped where I was and waited for a response. That's when I heard a noise from behind me and jumped about a foot in the air. I turned around to see Shippo was the cause of the noise that startled me. Wait if thats Shippo then who was I talking to? I wondered as I turned back around to the figure I was just having a one-sided conversation with to realize that it was a cat. Wow Kagome your more out of it than you think..
"Kagome, what are you doing out here?" Shippo questioned as her came to stand in front of me.
"I noticed that you left so I came to see if you are alright.." I told him as we started to walk to a nearby tree to sit against it.
"K-kagome.. I was wondering.. A-are you gonna leave us now?" he asked me as his eyes started to moisten from the impending tears. Does he really think I could leave him?
"Shippo.. I.. I cant leave you here with nobody to look after you.. I could never live with myself if something happened to you and I wasnt here to protect you." I assured him as I looked into the night's clear sky at the stars. You dont get to see stars like this in the modern era... I felt Shippo cuddle up against me as we both admired the sparkling view above us.
-Fast-forward-
"Kagome.." The sound of Inuyasha saying my name woke me up. Why is he waking me up in the middle of the night? Its dark out still.. As I opened my eyes I remembered that I fell asleep stargazing with Shippo.
"Inuyasha.. Where is Shippo?" I asked as he sat down against the tree next to me. I probably look like death itself right now..
"I came out and you were both sleeping so I woke him up and sent him inside.." he replied as he looked up at the sky while I was trying to fix my hair.
"Oh.. okay well I guess we should get back inside then.." I started before I noticed that he looked like he wanted to talk. "Unless there is something you wanted to talk about?"
He looked at me with a sad twinkle in his eyes and I started to regret saying that we could talk. The moonlight shone down on his face to give it a glow that brought out his delicate features which you dont see very often. He hesitated but I knew he wanted to say something, although I was nervous about what it was.
"D-do you want to go back?" he hurriedly looked away from my gaze as he asked.
"Go back? Go back where?" I asked confused for a moment.
"Back to your own time.. For good.." he replied with a depressed look on his face. Does he really want to talk about this now? I sighed at his timing of asking this of me..
"Inuyasha do we have to do this now?" I asked as I began to stand up until he grabbed my hand to bring me back down and I found myself being kissed gently and then released to sit where I was seated before. I'll take that as a yes.. I looked up at him with curious eyes as he looked back up at the sky.
"I dont want you to leave.. but I wont make you stay with me if you wish to return to your family.." he said without looking at me. He has really grown up alot since I met him..
"Inuyasha.. I didnt want to tell everyone my decision yet.. I had hoped we could all just have fun together for a while before I told you all.." I began to explain while looking down at my hands in my lap.
"You... You already made your decision?" he looked at me now and i looked back up at him. "Wait you just.. you just said you didnt want to tell us.." a tear fell down his moon-lit cheek.
"Inuyasha please dont cry! You dont even know what I was going to say!" I wiped the tear off of his face and looked into his eyes. "I made the decision to stay here that day when we beat Naraku and we all met at the well, just before that bastard wished me out of this world." The look on his face as I told him this was pure shock. I wonder if he is more shocked at my decision to stay in the feudal era or is he is shocked that i cursed. I dont usually curse so it could be either one. As I looked at him, the expressions on his face changed countless times. From shock to happiness to guilt and back to happiness again as he hugged me tightly.
"Thankyou Kagome." he stated with tears in his voice as he lifted us up off the ground to stand. He hugged me for a moment longer and then released me and started walking back to the hut. "Let's get back inside, your food will be cold."
As we all sat around the fire and ate our dinner, we talked about what our plans were. I told everyone of my decision to stay in the feudal era and Shippo told everyone that he will be going back and forth from Edo to the exams to become stronger. Miroku and Sango decided to get a house on the edge of town in order to keep an eye out for demons and bandits. Once we had all finished eating our food, we decided it was time for bed. It feels so good to have a full stomach.. Oh and to be going to sleep.. Although, I still feel a little off from the ordeal.. I'll go to the hot springs tomorrow to feel better. After three days of constantly being awake and afraid, I was finally laying down with Shippo cuddled up to me as I drifted off into a deep sleep.
Shippo's P.O.V.
What's that smell? When I woke up Kagome was still sleeping but everyone else was awake.. Inuyasha was sulking about something in the corner, while Miroku and Sango were helping Kaede with breakfast.
"What's he sulking about?" I asked Sango as she handed the monk a bowl of oats.
"Oh he is just mad because we told him he couldnt have ninja food for breakfast.." she said glaring briefly in the hanyou's direction. "Could you wake Kagome for breakfast?"
Inuyasha looked nervous about my waking Kagome up.. Probably because she has told him a million time that he cant have ninja food for breakfast. As I turned toward Kagome i noticed Inuyasha quietly step outside to avoid any 'Sits' that might be coming his way. When I touched Kagome's hand to wake her up it was hot, then I noticed she was sweating and breathing heavily.
"Kagome?" I shook her lightly to wake her up but her face winced a sign of pain. "Kagome?!" I yelled when I noticed she wasnt waking up. Kaede came over to us as I sniffed Kagome to see if I could find out what was wrong with her.
"Is she okay Lady Kaede?" Miroku asked as he walked over to join us at Kagome's side.
"Miroku can ye try to sense her spiritual power?" Kaede replied.
"She smells different Lady Kaede.. Different from the way she normally does.." I gave what little information I could as I stood back and watched.
"Inuyasha! There's something wrong with Kagome!" Sango yelled out the door. Inuyasha came busting in the entrance almost the second the demon slayer finished her sentence.
"What?! What's wrong with her? Does she have a cold?" the hanyou asked as panic took over his face.
"Lady Kaede, her spiritual powers are extremely weak.. Ive never seen anything like this.." Miroku turned to face the rest of us. "There's no way this is just a cold."
"Miroku.. Ye, Sango and Shippo come with me. We must pick some herbs to bring her fever down." Kaede motioned everyone for the door. "Inuyasha ye must stay here and watch over Kagome."
We headed straight for the herb gardens to find the right ones to help Kagome. I should have known that something was wrong from the way she smelled the other day.. Kagome usually smells like honey and lavender but now all I can smell from her is the slight scent of rain.
Meanwhile in Kaede's hut...
"Kagome.. You better wake up soon and get better." Inuyasha chastised the slumbering girl. What is this girl thinking?! Getting sick at a time like this.. She's so stupid! We were all supposed to be having fun and focusing on the future today but you went and decided to be sick instead! Inuyasha sat by Kagome's side for an hour or so convincing himself that she just has a cold or something simple that will clear up in a few days. He knew that she would wake up and tell them all to stop worrying. You will be fine Kagome, I just know it.
Kagome's P.O.V.
(Dream Sequence)
"Kagome.. You better wake up soon and get better." I could barely hear the words that Inuyasha spoke, As if he is far away. When I opened my eyes I was standing by myself in a field that stretched as far as the eye could see, the air was filled with the scent of rain as it sprinkled down on the fresh green grass. I looked around to see a woman standing before me. Who is that? The woman was wearing something that looked like battle armor from the feudal era and she had brown eyes and black hair that fell down to her waist.
"Who are you?" I asked the woman as she came closer to me. The closer she got the more detail I could see on her face. She looks sad.. and familiar..
"Kagome." when the woman spoke she had a voice that an angel would be envious of. "I am Midoriko." she stated.
"M-Midoriko? The priestess who created the Shikon Jewel? Am I dreaming? This is one vivid dream.." I was confused.
"This is no dream Kagome.." Midoriko said as she took my hand. "This is a vision.. Although by sheer coincidence you are in fact sleeping right now.." she continued.
"Why am I having a vision of you and why is it so hot in here?" I asked as I took my hand back to wipe my brow. Its got to be like a million degrees!
"Kagome listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. This may be hard for you to understand but I must warn you." the ancient priestess looked at me with severe eyes.
"Warn me? About what?" I started to worry a little.
"Kagome.. you are dying. The Shikon No Tama has finally been eradicated from this world. However, you are the Shikon Priestess and your soul is tethered to the jewel. So when the jewel disappeared from the world.. Your soul started to die, for it had fulfilled its purpose and was meant to be at piece." Midoriko explained as she sat down in the wet grass and motioned for me to sit with her.
"I-I'm dying? I cant die now.. I still have so much to live for.. Inuyasha and the others.. I want to see Miroku and Sango's wedding and see if their babies come out as cute as I think they will." My mind started going double time as I thought about all of the things I wanted to do. I cant be dying yet.. What about... Inuyasha?
"I am sorry Kagome.. You are dying. The well is sealed for the time being because you no longer have the strength to move between times. If the jewel had not been destroyed then you would live your life out as any normal human would have.. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, that is not the case." she told me while I began to cry.
The two of us sat there in the field for a while in silence. Both of us thinking about my impending death until Midoriko took my hand in hers.
"There is only one chance to save you." she tried to give me hope but she didnt seem very confident. "You must go to my grave and collect what little spiritual energy there is left before you die." she finished.
"Ive been to your grave but I didnt sense any spiritual energy.." I told her.
"It was not for you to sense at the time. However, now you will be able to sense it just fine." she began to stand up. "Now go. Do not waste any time." she finished as she vanished.
Suddenly I was standing in the field by myself, left to dwell on the information I had gathered. I'm dying.. I have to go to Midoriko's cave and collect the energy that is left. Well Kagome, time to wake up.
Inuyasha's P.O.V.
"Finally you guys are back! What did you go to Kagome's time to get the damn herbs?!" I was fed up with waiting around.
"Inuyasha, ye must not be hasty when it comes to picking the right herbs." Kaede talked back to me. Really old hag? There are like 20 different herbs in that stupid garden of yours! How hard is it to get the one that reduces a fever?
"Keh.. Whatever.." I needed to get some fresh air so I started to get up until I saw Kagome open her eyes. "Kagome! Are you okay?" I asked her.
"I-Inuyasha.. Is everyone here? I need to tell you guys something.." she answered me in a weak voice that made me cringe. "I had a vision from Midoriko" Okay she is delusional!
"Hey old hag.. you might wanna give her some of that herb stuff.. Shes become delusional.." I told Keade.
"I am not delusional. I am dying you idiot." she responded with attitude. Did she just say that she is dying? Suddenly my ears went flat, my blood ran cold and my heart stopped beating all at once.
"D-dying? What is that supposed to be a joke Kagome?! Its not a funny one!" I yelled at her for being so stupid.
"Its not a joke.. Midoriko told me.." she started explaining her vision once Miroku came into the hut.
Once she had gone through the whole thing twice we all sat in silence while I tried to stop myself from shaking. Kagome cant be dying right now.. She just told me that she is planning on staying with me.. She cant say those things and then up an leave me here alone.. I need to get out of here.. I cant breath in this stupid hut.
"I need to go.." I said as I walked out of the hut with the taste of salt in my mouth and tears falling down my face.
Kagome's P.O.V.
As Shippo, Sango, Kirara and I cried together, Miroku was trying to get everyone packed to travel to Midoriko's cave. Kaede was mixing herbs for me to take with us on our journey and Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen. When we all finally stopped crying we sat in silence as I was fed herbs to bring down my fever. Well I didnt think I was physically sick AND dying.. I hope Inuyasha is okay..
"Dont worry, he will come back once he has cooled off.." Sango assured me while she started helping Miroku pack.
"Its scary how you read my thoughts like that..." I was getting nervous that the demon slayer knew me so well.
"Haha! I dont read your thoughts.. I just know you." she replied with a grin.
"Yea I suppose so.." I said. All of a sudden my head started throbbing waves of pain. "Ahhh..." I winced and held my hand to my forehead.
I saw everyone drop what they were doing and come rushing to my side just as everything faded to black. The last thing I heard before passing out was Miroku running out of the hut.
Miroku's P.O.V.
If we dont get Lady Kagome to Midoriko's cave soon, she wont make it.. I can sense her spirit weakening by the hour and it takes 3 days to get to our destination.. We need to leave now..
"Inuyasha! Where are you?!" I beckoned as I continued running toward the Goshinboku tree. "Inuyasha!"
"What is it monk?" I turned to see my half-demon friend wiping his tears and putting on a brave face.
"Inuyasha.. I-Its Kagome.." I said as his eyes widened and he was gone from my sight. We must leave immediately.. I can only slow down the process temporarily with my own power.. Even then we may not make it..
Sango's P.O.V.
Inuyasha busted into the hut as I wiped Kagome's head with a wet cloth. I know he is worried about her..
"What happened?!" he demanded as her knelt by her head an touched her face.
"She held her hand to her head in pain and then passed out." I told him in hushed tones so that Shippo couldnt hear from outside. "We need to leave now.. We cant wait till morning to start the walk to Midoriko's cave." I warned him.
"Damn!" he punched the floor, leaving a crack in the wood. He must have been holding back.. "Okay get the others and lets go." he looked determined when he said that as he picked Kagome up gently and put her on his back.
"Right then lets get going" I said some time later once we were all ready to leave. Miroku, Shippo and I rode Kirara and Inuyasha carried Kagome on his back as we set out to save her life.
I just hope we make it in time...