IKIGAI
"The reason to be"
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Page XXI
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I pull the sheet over Moroha's chest, who has finally fallen asleep, then I gently stroke her forehead, as to not hurt her with my claws. She is a beautiful girl, who with her five cycles of age, fills our days with joy. My smile reflects the love filling my chest, and I seek your gaze to share this sensation. However, I find your brow slightly furrowed, and your attention is cast on the book where you've written our history.
"What are you reading?" I wonder, as I reach your side in one precise, and silent movement, not giving you time to close the book.
"Nothing," you reply, a certain song-like restlessness in your voice.
"We know each other a bit more deeply than that, Kagome," I say, then smile, taking the book off your hands.
"InuYasha," you say, with a certain anxiety, that I only understand once I read the first paragraph of the page you were looking at.
…To watch InuYasha rip apart the men accompanying Gatenmaru, was horrifying; even if they were bandits, they were still human beings. For a moment, I feared the youkai, the demon inside, would consume him…
"Don't read that, it's not necessary," her request feels painful, or are the words I'm reading the cause?
… When Sesshomaru appeared, I was sure he was going to kill InuYasha. He had tried before, why would it be any different now?
"InuYasha," I hear your plea, which you only enforce by resting your hand on my arm. I cast my gaze on that touch for a moment, and almost as if reading my mind, you direct me to a point further ahead in your writings. "Read this," you say, and I do so, yet you add, "out loud."
I start once again.
"I was so relieved to have InuYasha back, that I wasn't able to correctly express what I was thinking. Besides, it wasn't the moment." I pull a hand away from the book, seeking yours, which I find resting on your leg, closing my fingers around as I keep reading. "InuYasha was deeply hurt by what happened, and even if he tried to make me believe he didn't care about it, I could feel it inside, in the same way I know so many things about him. With time, I've learnt to recognize it as one of the many sides to the love I feel, and that..."
I can't keep reading. To my mind, comes the exact moment when you embraced me that day, and the immense despair I felt when I thought I could kill you, and not remember it after. I place the book away, then I pull you closer by your shoulder, into my arms. I need to know you safe, and to show, somehow, just how much I love you.
"Kagome." My voice is whisper that gets lost amidst the strands of your hair.
"I know," you mutter, and hug me back, containing me with that little gesture.
"I love you," I declare as my emotions overflow.
"I know that too." I note the smile playing on your words.
I pull away, slightly, just enough to hold your cheek in my hand. I look into your eyes, and I feel my soul full, in that wonderful way I discovered when I surrendered you my heart.
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A/N
The moment that is being remembered here, is among those I treasure the most from InuYasha's story. When I watched it, I saw it as painful and important, and around these days I saw a panel that brought it back to my mind. I hope you've enjoyed this slice of the life I'm imagining for them.
Kisses,
Anyara
This text is possible thanks to the translation of: Dezart