DISCLAIMER:I do NOT own any of the character ideas used in the following fan fiction. It is just an original story idea using the characters of the Manga/Anime.
Other than that I hope you guys enjoy this story being re-made. Having new experiences I am hoping to be able to reach a more realistic aspect to the feelings involved throughout the story. It will be shaped as I go, so prepare yourself for an emotional roller-coaster and please, feedback is always good.
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The sun rose higher in the sky as the wind whistled through the trees.
All together it was going to be a beautiful day. Kagome was in high spirits.
That was a nice way to start the morning…
She thought back to the kiss she and Inuyasha shared a moment ago.
Now if only we could see how much control he is willing to give up
Her thoughts continued.
Inuyasha heard a giggle come from his dark haired companion.
"Oi- what's gotten into you?" he chimed as he swept dirt over the embers leftover from the fire.
She turned and smiled at him and he paused.
Her smile was so bright- with her eyes sparkling with knowing. His ears twitched as he felt blood rush to his face. He closed his eyes and drew a clawed finger across his temple, itching an imaginary scratch.
Turning around he looked to the sky and took a breath as he re-opened his eyes.
Geeze, didn't think a kiss would make her THAT happy.
The pair gathered their items and along with Kagome's bike- continued their walk to the village.
"Inuyasha-" she began shortly after they started walking.
"I meant what I said about being glad to be home, but I didn't get a chance to apologize." Her eyes peered at him as they walked ahead.
He stopped walking.
"Apologize?! For WHAT!" he cried out. "What could you possibly have to be sorry for? We didn't have a choice that the well closed off!"
She took a few more steps before stopping. Still looking ahead she spoke-
"I'm sorry I wasn't here...when you needed someone to talk to. Someone to be here as you processed Kikyo's death."
She continued looking ahead, giving him a moment to gather his thoughts.
His golden eyes turned a deep amber as his thoughts turned to Kikyo.
He clenched his hand around the metal of Kagome's bike. He could feel the metal bend like paper. His body clenched and his heart skipped a few beats as the breathe he had-was pulled from his lungs.
He quickly recovered, and released his grip on her bike. He took a deep breathe before looking forward to Kagome.
She finally turned having heard him release his breath. He looked into her eyes.
"I wasn't able to be here, and I am sorry" she continued.
Their eyes locked as no words passed between them for a moment. His mind flashed back to her words from the day before.
Inuyasha.. we are not children anymore. We need to talk about things that are happening between us.
"We are not children" he spoke.
She peered up at him and took a few steps towards him.
"No, we are not. So please, tell me if you need to talk. I'm here and… I understand"
He let out another breath and looked around, time presenting itself as a lone bird flew past, chasing it's breakfast.
"Well...um...it was hard." He averted his gaze briefly before returning to her caring eyes.
"I don't know what I would have done if I had been alone all that time. I feel like a part of me would have been lost."
Kagome smiled.
"I'm glad you at least had Sango and Miroku with you."
He looked at her-confused, before catching himself.
"Ah- Um… well…" he looked into her eyes again.
Inuyasha
The voice in his mind called to him.
He turned his face away.
"Um… Yea. Yea it's good to have them" he finished.
She grabbed his hand, entwining her fingers with his. He looked down at their hands. Feeling a familiar prickle of guilt fill the back of his mind.
She turned tugging at his hand-continuing their walk.
They continued along listening to the sounds around them.
Kagome was content to let his mind wander, squeezing his hand to remind him she was there if he wanted or needed to say anything else on the matter.
They continued to walk as his face fell to the ground- thinking back to the first night without Kagome.
********* Flash Back ************
"Kagome!" Inuyasha continued to shout at the bottom of the well.
What the HELL was that! Why can't I get through!
His thoughts ran crazy as he lept out and in over and over- not believing how quickly the well closed.
I thought we had more time…
Kagome….
He dug his claws into the dirt at the bottom of the well, vying to get back to her, to see her face, hear her voice.
Desperation gave in to grief and he stilled, his hands balling into fists. He pressed his forehead against the dirt.
"Please….I need you..." the words broke from his mouth as the tears fell openly from his face.
If any strong demon had been left in the area, Inuyasha would have been a sorry sight that day. Huddled at the bottom of the well, he finally composed himself as the moon rose above.
Climbing to the edge of the well, he sat against the wooden fixture and his mind opened up to all the pain he kept hidden.
How come I keep getting left behind...they always leave….
Inuyasha shuddered as he contemplated the sad thoughts that over came him that night.
The only thought keeping him going, was that he knew Kagome would do everything she could to come back to him.
She hasn't abandoned you- I believe in her- I know…. I know she will make it back…. Besides, this has happened before..
He thought to the one time before when Kagome had been trapped on the other side of the well. Years before, when they really weren't sure if she could make it back.
"We are still connected"
He stood then, and headed for the one place he could feel close to her….the sacred tree.
Winding through the trees, he found his feet knew the way without his mind having to focus.
He stilled at the base of the tree, feeling for her presence.. waiting for some prickle of feeling.
He didn't know how long he stood there, silent, barely breathing. Something moved off in the woods to his right and it snapped him out of his trance.
He turned and found that a deer was the cause for the noise. Smelling, rather than seeing, from the direction the sound emanated from.
He sighed and moved to sit at the base of the tree. The large roots creating a semi-enclosure around his form, hiding him from immediate site in the dark.
What now…. He asked himself.
Leaning his head back he looked to the canopy of the sacred tree, hoping for some sort of answer. The stars dotted through the canopy, their light floating above.
Just like soul collectors….
He stilled at the sudden thought. His mind half expected to hear some sign of Kikyo approaching at the visual reminder.
And then, reality hit.
Inuyasha felt as if the wind had been sucked out of his lungs. The darkness covered his sight as he balled in on himself. He couldn't breathe…. His hands flew up to the sides of his face, wrapping into his hair clenching so hard he broke skin.
His body instinctively curled in on itself as the grief of his loss hit him full force.
No…..Kikyo….I'm sorry… I'm Sorry… I'm..
His mind flooded with her final words to him as he held her in his arms.
I couldn't save you!
His body finally gave in to the demand for air and in return Inuyasha let out a horrible cry as the tears fell. He knew no body was around to hear his painful cries, and while he was thankful, a part of him cried even more at the loss of his companions.
He raked his claws down his face in anger at himself, turning his fists on himself-he beat against his head as the grief swallowed him.
Time passed as he let out all the bottled up sadness. A silent numbness taking hold as the sky began to lighten. He sat, legs extended, arms at his side, palms face up in surrender.
The only evidence of the turmoil was his tousled hair, and dry traces of his tears. His scratched having long ago healed.
He sat there, not sleeping, not focusing. Just existing. Breathing.
A butterfly passed and he finally focused and followed it's path with his eyes. As it spiraled through the air he slowly moved his head as it rounded the roots of the tree and he saw her.
She stood next to a berry bush. Curiosity in her Hazel eyes at the sitting Hanyou in front of her.
He took a deep breath, shaking himself from the still position he was in.
She jumped.
"Oh! Hello…." her voice broke the silence.
"Sorry- I…. I wasn't sure if you were alive, you were so still" she stammered.
Inuyasha moved to stand, grimacing at the ache in his haunches. His muscles complaining at the sudden movement.
He quickly rubbed his hands over his face and crossed his arms.
"Well I'm not dead." was his only response.
The girl took a few steps forward coming around the brush.
"Um… silly question….hoping for a good answer...but… you're not dangerous are you?" she clasped her hands in front of her, standing straight.
The space between them became the playground of the butterfly from earlier as silence filled the air.
She shifted her weight-and patted the sides of her kimono as she realized he might not answer.
"Um… well…. I'm just traveling, and uh… I'll be on my way if you're okay."
She began to walk towards the sacred tree.
"What do you mean If I'm Okay?" His voice caught her off guard.
She stopped and smiled, her tan skin emphasizing her bright smile.
"Um. Well, you seem down. I came across you a while ago...and when I realized you weren't moving, I thought you were dead…since you didn't acknowledge my presence, um but then I saw you breathing...and-"
"Exactly how long were you watching me?" he cut her off with his question.
"Um… long enough to recognize you've lost somebody." she responded.
"I know loss. Well most people do. But… I'm not the type of person to ignore things like that. But you were so still, I just wasn't sure if I should… plus.. don't you normally have friends around?"
Her comment startled Inuyasha.
"Normally you travel with the fire cat and the monk and demon slayer. Although, you haven't passed through my village this year" she continued.
"You've seen us then?" He asked.
"Yea, it's hard not to watch for other half-demons when they venture to the village. I live about a half days' journey from here. I've seen you and your friends a few times.
"A half demon?" he asked.
The words coming out harsher than he intended.
She straightened her stance.
"Yes, a half demon. Just like you." she said strongly. It was then he saw the flicker of a tail behind her, and upon closer look her hands had well kept claws.
"My mother was a fox demon, and my father was human. My father has long since passed away. But my mother….well… maybe you can meet her." she smiled.
"Why would I want to do that?" he remarked, his ears twitching.
"And why are you talking so much?" he continued. Irritation lacing his voice.
She walked closer. "Like I said, I'm not one to ignore these things. And since you don't pose a danger to me, I don't see a reason we can't talk. It's rare to come across other half demons.
If your not doing anything, do you want to come spend some time at my village? Sometimes distancing yourself from a place of loss can help the mind clear itself."
She paused waiting for his response.
"What's your name anyways?" he asked.
"My name is Sinha" she responded. "Nice to meet you."
********* End Flash Back ***************
Inuyasha often glances at their entwined finger as the path through the forest gets more and more familiar.
Kagome had begun sharing about some of the things she had accomplished in her time, aside from missing everyone.
While she was talking about something to do with graduation they rounded a curve and Inuyasha's ears twitched.
"OI! Miroku!" he called out. Waving his arms.
Up ahead the monk and demon slayer were casually sitting while the little ones ran in the meadow.
Kagome turned her attention to the group ahead.
"Sango! Shippo!" she exclaimed as she took off running.
Passing her infant son to Miroku, Sango stood and jogged the remaining distance to hug Kagome.
The two friends beaming at each other.
"Ahhh give me the baby! Gimme Gimme!" Kagome cried out as Miroku approached.
"Kagome!" the little Kitsune cried out. "Yay you're back at the same time as us!" he hopped up and down in excitement.
Kagome turned to Shippo and he jumped into her arms.
"I think your hands are full" Miroku chuckled as the kitsune nuzzled their Miko friend. Kagome playfully glared at him.
"Oh I'll get my hands on him soon enough" she joked as she eyed their son.
Laughter began to fill the afternoon air.
"Well the gangs all here." Inuyasha remarked as he placed their things next to the blanket on the ground.
"We just stopped for lunch, since we are almost home we decided just to enjoy the afternoon before we get back to our responsibilities." Sango mused.
"Hey I can eat." Inuyasha retorted.
The group settled down to eat.. the two girls talking away as Miroku and Inuyasha played with the kids.
Kagome looked over their group as she unpacked their food. She smiled as she took in the scene before her.
Yes, I made the right choice. I'm home.