InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Humanity ❯ Hanyous ( Chapter 24 )

Humanity

By Joyfulmusic

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or Inuyasha. Never have, never will. This fanfic contains some spoilers. I haven't seen the whole series of either show so I'm not sure how they end. But that's why this is a fanfic.

 

Chapter 24: Hanyous

 

Edward turned around to find out what the problem was. He frowned at the person who'd broken the mood. “What do you want?” His voice was harder than he'd meant for it to be. After all, Miroku wasn't the one to blame for Willa having been so upset. Though having him watch the couple kissing, and his earlier proposal wasn't something that got him on the alchemist's good side.

 

“Oh, uh... I was just making sure you were ok.” The monk's attention was on the girl. “We were worried about you. I realize that Inuyasha can be rather thoughtless at times, but he doesn't mean what he said.” His mind was still wondering how the blond was able to seduce the woman when he himself couldn't do so with any female.

 

Willa rolled her eyes when she heard his thoughts. “Just go and tell them I'm alright now. We'll come back in a little bit. We were kinda in the middle of something. Of course you didn't notice that, now did you Miroku?” He gave an apologetic smile and shrugged. As soon as he was out of sight she looked back to Ed. “Don't get so upset. He's just jealous because he's pathetic with women.”

 

“Yeah, I've seen some of that.” The alchemist laughed. “And I always thought monks weren't allowed to be with women. Something in their rule book I think.” He smiled wickedly and gave her a quick kiss. “I don't think I could follow that rule either. Not with someone like you around.”

 

She laughed softly, her eyes regaining their lost joy. She could feel her heart lighten. The tears had strangely refreshed her spirit. “Well maybe where he comes from they don't have to. But I think you're right about most having to take a vow of celibacy.” She was beginning to think that this time love would go her way.

 

Edward moved to pull her close to him again. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist. The aura of passion and devotion was strong about him. It seemed as though it were a visible mist that surrounded the couple. He breathed softly into her ear. “Now then, where were we?”

 

 

Sitting with his head down, Inuyasha was now regretting his words. He'd said things he couldn't take back. Yet it was the words he'd meant that had hurt Willa so badly. `It's not like I didn't say anything that's not true. He will get tired of her, eventually. Then she'll be all alone.'

 

His head tipped up to look at where Kagome and Sango sat talking. They were worried about what had happened. Earlier he had seen how deeply disappointed the miko had been with him. It was almost as though he'd spoken against her. But he would never do something so heartless. `I wouldn't… would I?' He wasn't sure. In the past he'd said plenty to hurt her, more than enough to give her reason to leave. `It's been a while, and Kagome is still with me. She and the others, they haven't turned away. Not yet. Oh Kagome, will you get tired of me?'

 

It had been obvious that Kikyou hadn't totally trusted him. If she had, she wouldn't have been so easily deceived. `She wanted me to become a human, so that we could be together. But Kagome accepts me as I am. Maybe Ed will do the same for Willa.' He shook his head. `But I doubt it.'

 

“Inuyasha.” The miko called him from his thoughts. The demon slayer was off to collect more firewood with Shippo. So the younger woman walked over and took a seat beside him. The disappointment still hung in her eyes. She had tried to hide it, but it was still faintly visible. “It's going to be alright. Miroku went to see if she's ok. You'll just have to apologize.”

 

He only nodded, his lack of arguing showing how deeply troubled he really was. The miko leaned to put her head on his shoulder. He was stiff, but didn't resist the touch. “I didn't mean to upset you so Kagome. But what if he just leaves her all alone? I've got you but she wouldn't have anyone.”

 

The girl smiled slightly, her heart warmed by his words. “She has you Inuyasha. But I don't think Edward will leave her like you're thinking. He loves her very much.” She glanced up to see the hanyou's eyes were still staring at nothing. “I doubt it'll happen, but if he does abandon her, she can come with us. She'll just be another member of the group.”

 

Inuyasha moved his arm around Kagome, and gave her a slight squeeze. His love wasn't as evident as the alchemist's, but it was still there and just as strong. “Thank you,” He murmured, “for understanding.” It wasn't like him to apologize or to show gratitude, but at that moment, it seemed alright.

 

His eyes shifted to the path, and soon Miroku was standing before them. The hanyou's arm pulled back from around his love. He was still unwilling to show affection before anyone. “Well, what's going on? Are they coming back?” His voice tried to sound disinterested.

 

The monk nodded. “Yes, but they may be a while. They were, uh… busy.” He saw the blush on Kagome's face and realized he needed to clarify. “They are talking, and uh… kissing. So they sent me back to tell everyone that all is well. Not to worry, I believe she's forgiven you Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome cocked an eyebrow. “Were you spying on them Miroku?” His shaking head was in complete contradiction with his expression. She frowned at him. “You were, weren't you? No wonder they didn't come back with you! I'm surprised Willa didn't slap you.”

 

As the slayer came into the clearing she glared at him. “Got yourself in more trouble monk?” But again his idiotic grin betrayed him. She knew he was stupid, but to spy on the guy that had put a blade to his throat? That made him even more dim-witted than she'd previously suspected.

 

 

The two were still sitting in the small clearing when visions came rushing at her. Willa grabbed her head, almost screaming with pain. Edward pulled her close to him. He wasn't sure what was happening but had a fairly good idea. “Memories.” The girl whispered, affirming his assumption. She managed to raise her head as they quit assaulting her.

 

Coming along the path, a woman looked into the clearing at them. She peered at Willa, who glared back at her. “Don't I know you? But you can't be the same person.” Her eyes moved to the man sitting beside the girl. “And what is this, a human with a hanyou? Now that is an unexpected sight.”

 

“Kikyou.” Willa murmured with a frown. “What do you want? Shouldn't you be getting on to the afterlife by now?” She didn't try to hide her distrust. The last time they'd met, the miko had given her a bad feeling. Now that she'd seen the woman's past, she liked her even less.

 

With a nod a grin spread across her face, realization coming to her. “Then it is the same one. Willa, wasn't it? The girl who knew what I was. And now look at you.” She held out a hand and gestured toward the changed person. “You questioned my humanity, but now I'm more of a human than you are.”

 

Ed jumped up in anger, pulling his love with him. The name had reminded him what the priestess was. “Don't you dare say that about her! You're not even alive!” The fire of anger burned in his eyes. “You're just a dead clay pot that's powered by borrowed spirits! You don't even have a real body.”

 

The smile faded from the deceased miko's face. She glared at the man who would dare to speak to her in such a way. “Careful, hanyous can't be trusted you know. They're just mutts that are desperate to be human. She'll only use you to make herself feel like a person.” Bushes rattled behind her, and as she turned shock filled her eyes. “Inuyasha.”

 

He stood there, unable to believe what he'd just heard. When he did regain his voice his words were distraught. “Hanyous can't be trusted? Do you really think I'm nothing more than a mutt Kikyou? That I'm desperate to be human?” Her silence angered him. “Answer me.” He growled.

 

“Inuyasha.” She tried to appease him, her hands held out to cup his face. Her smile was as genuine as she could make it. “I didn't realize you had been brought here too. Have you missed me?” But when she took a step forward he took one back. The smile wilted into a frown as her arms dropped to her side. “You haven't missed me?”

 

Kagome stepped into the groups view. She stood behind Inuyasha, having also heard every word. Gently she placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes looking up at his face. She wanted so much to give him strength, but didn't know what to do. No words she could find seemed appropriate.

 

But that small touch was enough for him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and gave her a quick glance. Then he pulled her close to him and glared at the deceased priestess. “I did miss you Kikyou, but now I can see I shouldn't have bothered. I don't need you or anyone to make me feel like a person.” He glanced back at the girl in his arms. “Kagome has shown me that.”

 

The dead woman clinched her fists. In truth she had never really loved Inuyasha. She had been infatuated with him decades ago. But the man standing before her was not the same as the one whom she'd pinned to the tree. This hanyou had been through hell, and overcome all of it. Displeased by his reaction, Kikyou called on her snakelike soul collectors. Twisting around her they took her up into the sky. But before she was out of sight she called down, “You will never be human Inuyasha! You will never be anything more than a worthless hanyou!”

 

Willa smiled as she looked from the sky back to the couple before her. `Finally, he's free to love Kagome. But…was she right?' Her eyes clouded over. `Am I no longer human?' She wasn't really sure anymore. What is humanity really? Is it simply the soul, or was there more to it?

 

“You're human.” Edward whispered into her doglike ear before he kissed it. She smiled and he knew he'd been right. Though he couldn't read her mind he was still able to tell what she was thinking part of the time. His head turned back to the path, allowing hers to rest on his shoulder.

 

Kagome was staring up at Inuyasha who was still watching the sky. His frown was deep, as deep as the wound that had been inflicted upon his heart. The miko gently pressed her lips against his cheek. That was enough to bring him back from his thoughts. She was relived when he peered down at her.

 

His eyes reviled the hurt, but now the healing would be able to begin. “Kagome.” He murmured. Then his attention snapped back to his surroundings. His arms fell from her waist and his gaze moved to Willa and Edward. The light in the alchemist's eyes showed him how much love was there. “I'm sorry… for what I said.”

 

Willa glanced up, without moving her head, at the keeper of her heart, who gave a single nod. She smiled then looked back at the hanyou. “It's alright. I know you were just worried about me.” Her head lifted from the alchemist's shoulder. “But you shouldn't. He's here to stay, and so is she.” Willa motioned toward the miko who blushed deeply.

 

Before the redness faded completely, Kagome gazed up at Inuyasha. “You were worried that I would leave?” When he nodded slightly she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I'm not going anywhere. You should know that by now. Besides, I… I love you Inuyasha.”

 

He smiled slightly, his arms returning to encompass her. Glancing quickly at the others he leaned down close. Then, whispering so only she could hear, he finally managed to say it. “I love you too Kagome.” His lips barely brushed her ear with a light kiss. “I love you so much.”