InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ This Modern Love ❯ I'll Be Watching Over You ( Chapter 2 )

This is my last author's note that will be in the beginning of the story. Also, I am going to change the layout of it all. Sorry for the inconvenience, and the long wait, but I suffered from a brief depression. Blame my brother; he blew up our house (Not literally, mind you).

 

 

 

 

At the end of this chapter will be two summaries for my new stories that will be coming up. Tell me if you like either of the ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I am sorry if the characters seem OOC, but NO FLAMES. They may encourage others, but they hurt me. NO FLAMES.

 

 

Love and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

0o0-C-h-a-p-t-e-r—T-w-o-0o0

0o0-I'll be waiting for you-0o0

 

 

Monday you can fall apart

Tuesday Wednesday break my heart

Thursday doesn't even start

It's Friday that I'm in love

 

Saturday wait

Sunday always comes too late

But Friday never hesitates…

 

Friday I'm In Love, by The Cure.

 

 

 

The soul was ripped from Kikyo's chest, and she screamed a piercing, agonizing scream. InuYasha had his ears covered, and his eyes were screwed tightly shut as the blinding light grew brighter, and brighter, and brighter still. One by one, the four souls of the jewel were sucked back inside, the wish having been granted. Slowly, the light receded, and a figure stood there.

 

Her eyes open in slits, her mouth parted slightly to breathe, long raven hair whipped around her in the hard breeze of late summer. A few meters away stood Kikyo, her hands wrapped around a large, glowing ball of white trying to escape her grasp. The undead miko was trying to force the glowing ball back into her chest, but it wouldn't go. Instead, it broke free from her grasp, and floated over towards Kagome, despite the screechings that Kikyo spewed.

 

The white ball hit Kagome head-on, and sunk into her chest. Her eyes widened in the recognition they hadn't had before, and they gained their normal bright, stormy blue-grey color, and her face got back its normal, pretty, pale complexion, instead of being just a grey in color. It was then, as Kikyo lost the coloring she had unexpectedly gained since the last time he had seen her, that InuYasha realized that the glowing white ball was a soul. Kagome and Kikyo's soul.

 

Kikyo crumpled to the ground in a heap of white and red miko clothes, panting hard. Still, a small part of the soul was still with Kikyo; it hadn't been completely stripped of her, but Kagome now had most of it. The newly-not-dead girl's eyes were bright and alive, gazing down at her hands, as if they were something new.

 

Well, in technicality, it was. She had basically been a wandering soul for exactly one year, and now she was not used to being in her old body. Using a sharp nail, she cut her wrist a tiny bit, just check that she was really alive, and not being cheated of death like Kikyo had been.

 

A small, completely rare smile graced InuYasha's face as he looked at the surprised Kagome. It wasn't the usually smirk, or even an evil grin that he got when he was about to kick something's ass. No, this was a true smile, that would've continued on, had he not started to feel something odd, starting at his legs.

 

On his legs was not any kind of animal, unless it was an invisible one. There wasn't anything different with InuYasha's legs, no blood, no broken bones there, nothing was wrong at all. Unless you count disappearing. Slowly, starting with his feet and working its way upward, his whole body was disappearing, including his clothes.

 

"Kagome!" He yelled out, causing the surprised girl to cast a casual glance in his direction, and then take a double take to look back at him. His legs were disappearing fast, and a startled look was cast over his features.

 

Reaching out towards him, she called to him. "InuYasha! What's happening!" Her question was more of a demand. A loud humming noise was buzzing in the background, and nearly silenced her question. Looking down at InuYasha's legs again, Kagome noticed something.

 

The jewel was at his now disappearing feet. He had made the wish for her to be alive, instead of Kikyo being alive. Rushing forward, to InuYasha's surprise, Kagome wrapped her arms around the half demon, and buried her face into his muscled chest. Even through the various other things blocking his demonic sense, InuYasha could still smell the salty tears that were dripping from her eyes and down her face in streams.

 

"Shh… Don't cry Kagome, you should be happy. You're alive now! Isn't that what you wanted?" He whispered into her ear, and she looked up at him with puffy red eyes.

 

"Y-you did this?" Kagome asked him softly, so quietly that the half demon had to struggle to hear each word. He smiled at her, one of those rare times when it wasn't that hurtful smirk, or that all-knowing smile he had, or the strange grin he always acquired when he was about to kill something. No, this was a true, sincere smile, one that she had only seen once before.

 

InuYasha expected a large hug, maybe a kiss or two, and a lot more tears. He expected her to yell out her thanks and jump around and be like her old, happy self. What he got for a reply was not what he expected at all, though. No, The only thing the same between his expectations and her actual response was the thousands of more tears that ran down her face.

 

Kagome pushed against his chest with her fists, and yelled. "InuYasha! How could you? Why? The jewel is sucking up your soul because you used it to wish me back alive! Why did you do such a horrible thing, InuYasha?" Kagome screamed, easily heard over the background humming noise.

 

Ah, yes. Kagome: the only person in the world who cared about everything besides herself, even at a time like this. She even put InuYasha's sake before her own after being dead for a whole year. The young miko pounded on his chest with her fists, and rested her crying head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her.

 

His knees were gone. Even if the crying form of Kagome was blocking his view of his lower legs, he knew from the fact that he couldn't feel them, that his knees were gone. For how long? Who cared. For forever? Maybe. Being close to Kagome, and not feeling the misery that came along with her being dead? The best feeling in the world, even if he was slowly disappearing.

 

Or being sucked into the jewel. Yes, Kagome had been right, and the now blaring humming noise was coming from the jewel, as it slowly, but surely, sucked him up inside of it. he could only stand there and watch as Kagome cried, her face buried in his chest, as he slowly disappeared from the whole world.

 

Was this the price for wishing Kagome back alive? Undoubtedly, yes. Was it worth the feeling of happiness that shot through him everywhere at being able to see his best friend, his second love, once again? Was it worth the fact that he was going to be gone soon, most likely within the next five or ten minutes? Or was it worth the fact that he would never be seen, or heard, or felt again? It was worth it all, only because he would be able to see his Kagome alive for the last few minutes of his life.

 

"Stupid, stupid InuYasha! How could you! Why?" Kagome cried out, banging on his chest once again. She hadn't noticed that his knees had disappeared, and inch-by-inch, so were his upper legs.

 

"I thought… That you wanted to be alive." He whispered softly, making her cry even more.

 

"Not if it means this! What's happening?" Kagome clung to his haori, which was stained wet with tears.

 

"But you're alive, Kagome! You are alive! Don't you remember how nice it is to be alive? Kikyo has cheated death, but you are alive, once again!" InuYasha cried, bringing her out of the hug and pushing her away slightly, but only a few feet apart. He was scared that maybe, she too would get sucked in. He wouldn't have been able to live with himself if that had happened. Well, technically he wouldn't have been alive at all, but there was a possibility that she could be sucked in place of him. That would be worse than her being dead.

 

"No! You didn't have to do this for me, InuYasha!" Kagome cried out.

 

"Yes, Kagome, you deserve a second chance more than anyone else in the world." He said, smiling softly at her.

 

"It's not fair!" She pleaded softly, reaching out her hand towards him. The bottom of his chest was disappearing now, and all that was left was his neck, he, shoulders, and arms.

 

"It's the price to pay, Kagome." InuYasha replied. He wrapped his large hand around her small hand, and held it close.

 

"You're my best friend, InuYasha, don't leave me!" She sobbed. Tears were streaming in even more streams now.

 

"You'll always be in my heart, Kagome. Don't forget that. Don't forget me." He said softly.

 

"No, I'll always remember you." Kagome promised.

 

"And remember, Kagome. You might not be mine to Love, but you'll always be mine to protect." InuYasha let go of her hand, and slowly started to disappear into the jewel.

 

"No! InuYasha! You promised that you'd always be there for me!" She cried out, trying to grab his hand again.

 

"I'm always here, Kagome." He stated, now you could barely see him.

 

"InuYasha!" Kagome whispered, reaching out for the last time.

 

"I'll be watching over you, I promise." InuYasha said softly as he disappeared into the jewel completely, his voice whispering as quietly as the wind.

 

Kagome sank to her knees and cried her eyes out, sorry that InuYasha disappeared. Already she missed him, his rude demeanor, strangely cold attitude, and the way he always yelled at her for not being good or not getting something right. It was rare that he showed kind emotion to her, but when he did, it always brought Kagome back down to earth, and she remembered how much she loved him.

 

A cold hand on her shoulder brought the girl out of her memories, and Kagome looked up. She looked into the face so much like her own, yet older and more sophisticated, while her own was fun, happy, and carefree. Kikyo gazed down at the crying girl with cold, dead eyes. It had come as a shock to her that Kagome was still alive, and she was having a hard time coping with her being brought back to life instead of herself. It wasn't fair!

 

"K-Kikyo…" Kagome whispered as she gazed back up into the dull, brown eyes of the undead miko.

 

"You are alive again." Kikyo stated, squeezing the girl's shoulder just for good measure, and only because she wanted to see how alive the girl actually was. Noting the small amount of blood that had appeared on Kagome's wrist, they both knew that Kagome was really alive again, and not undead. If she were like Kikyo, then there would not have been blood, only spirits would have poured out.

 

"Y-yes." Kagome replied, shaking slightly at the deep inspection of the other miko. Other than the times that Kikyo had pinned her to the tree with her soul demons, Kagome had never really been touched by Kikyo, besides a few other times.

 

It felt strange to have the cold, hard hand placed on her shoulder, squeezing it for good measure. The smooth, pale skin of the undead miko was perfect and unwrinkled, like the white porcelain of a doll; just like that of a perfect being. The only thing not perfect about Kikyo was that the undead miko was just that; undead. Her soul had not been put to rest like InuYasha said he would do, nor had she suffered a horrible death.

 

"A… A second chance…" Kikyo stated softly, her eyes boring down into the young, time traveling miko, unmerciful. Deep down, hidden beyond the exterior layer of the brown eye color, lay the doors into the undead miko's soul, or what little she had stolen from the one from the future.

 

And in those eyes lay truth, the truth that Kikyo had known for a long time, and could never forget. There was something else, though… Something not distinguishable to Kagome. Was it regret? Regret for treating Kagome so badly, and not understanding the girl's reasons? Or was it comprehension of what had happened and why it had happened? Surely, there was regret. Deep down, even farther, though, lay a thick layer of hope.

 

It was hope for the miko that knelt before her, not in praise, but in fear, and forgiveness of all that things that she had done. Kikyo closed her eyes briefly, and then looked away into the vast expanse of green trees, breaking the contact from Kagome by taking her cold hand off the girl's shoulder. Shakily, Kagome got to her feet, and stood before Kikyo.

 

"Yes, this is a second chance…" Kagome repeated, fearful for her reaction. Now that InuYasha was gone, what would Kikyo do to her? Would she continue on with her intention of killing Kagome and getting the soul back, or would she give up the soul completely?

 

As if sensing the rising tension in the young miko, Kikyo looked back at her through the corner of her eye, smiling a small, true smile.

 

"Do not worry," She chuckled a humorous laugh slightly, surprising Kagome out of her temporary stupor.

 

"What do you plan to do?" Kagome inquired quietly, her blue-grey eyes watching every single movement the undead miko made cautiously, not trusting her after the long period of time in which Kikyo had tried to kill Kagome.

 

"I do not plan to give you back the part of your soul, if that is what you are asking." Kikyo stated, a smirk curling at the ends of her lips.

 

Instead of having shock ring through her, the only thing Kagome felt at that sentence was relief. Had she not expected Kikyo to say the words she just had, a gasp would have escaped her, and her hand would have flown to her mouth in a flurry of movement. It would have been too hard to handle today, getting the rest of her soul back, that is. Being dead for a whole year can do things to one, believe it or not.

 

For that she was ever so grateful to Kikyo, however strange a situation it was right now.

 

Only one thing came to mind, after a phrase like that. "I would expect no less." Kagome said, and held out her hand.

 

Looking down at it awkwardly, Kikyo held out her own cold one, and they shook hands, a sign of mutual agreement. Or, rather a treaty of peace. For the time being, that is. No one could say how long this contract would stand, or who it would be that would be the first to break the rules. No one knew how it was that they could break the rules, since this strange agreement had come on so quickly, so suddenly, that there were no actual guidelines to it.

 

Turning around, the older miko began to walk away. After a few steps, though, a clear call rung out through the forest, so loud that it scared the birds out of the nearby trees, making the branches shake slightly.

 

"When will I see you again?" Kagome called out, making the older miko turn a bit to see over her shoulder.

 

"In due time, my young miko, in due time." Kikyo spoke softly, yet loud enough for Kagome to hear and comprehend.

 

It was then that Kikyo turned away completely, and walked down a dirt path that led out of the forest. Even if she was walking away from the situation that had caused more questions than answers, both mikos felt complete. Not in the soul, of course, but in their minds.

 

It was understood that Kikyo had forgiven herself, and in the few words exchanged, that Kagome had forgiven her as well. That was all the undead miko needed to move on to a new adventure, the silent or verbal—she did not care which—approval of her rival in love, powers, and much more.

 

Peace was not laying between the two priestesses, nor was it an actual agreement. More was it comprehension of the fact that Kikyo had done what she had had to do at the time, and that she had thought it was right at the time. It was not proven to her that the situation was a bad one, or the things she had been doing at all to anyone.

 

Of course it had made sense to steal the jewel shards and give them to Naraku; the faster one got them, the faster she could kill him and take them.

 

Of course it had made sense to try to kill Kagome; the sooner she got the complete soul, the sooner that Kikyo would have a chance at defeating Naraku with her true and full powers.

 

Of course, at the time, it had made sense to kill Kagome; Kikyo had known that somehow and soon, the half demon named InuYasha would have shown his true colors and stolen the jewel. Even if it was not on purpose, even a strong one such as himself could not resist the tempting call of the jewel. Not that it was his mind that wanted the jewel, it was more of his demon blood that wanted it, burned for it, needed it with every depth of his soul.

 

And Kikyo could not have just stood by and let that happen.

 

There would have been no chance in between to slip through and steal the jewel, since they would always come after her, searching for the jewel. This way, the half demon had been so distraught over the thoughts of Kagome dieing, that he had not taken the time to notice that it had been she that had taken the jewel, that it had been her that had killed Kagome. That it had been Kikyo.

 

Even though everything was understood between the young and older miko, that did not mean that Kagome forgave her. There was no way that, even being the kind, gentle-hearted person she was, could forgive someone for killing her, even if the reasons were clear. It would be hard to forgive someone that had always had the intention of killing you, and then one day did. So Kagome forgave Kikyo for everything she could, like the stealing, the lying, and even the attacks. She would not forgive the undead miko for killing her, though, no.

 

Neither could Kagome forgive Kikyo for making InuYasha wish her back alive. Not that the young miko did not want to be alive, it was just that she did not want to have that fate be wished on InuYasha. Kagome blamed Kikyo, but mainly the girl blamed herself for it.

 

Here he was, though, his body and mind had been sucked up into the jewel, as a sacrifice and as payment for bringing Kagome back to life. His soul was loose, though, but no one went to catch it, no one went to comfort it or lead it to the place of death.

 

That was what happened when a soul was so worried or distraught, or still had a purpose on this Earth. It was what happened when one soul that died needed so badly to stay back on the Earth that no deity of death could take control of the soul, at least for a little while, and lead it to the Spirit World, where it would spend eternity, living out the rest of its spiritual life. Life as a spirit, that is.

 

So InuYasha's soul was floating about, high above the skies, waiting and watching every single movement his charge made. Yes, his charge. Just like Sesshomaru was in charge of watching over Rin, he was in charge of watching over none other than… Well, his charge. He was a ghost, you could say, but one of super powers. Yes, he could very well float, but also could he move objects, and sense things.

 

It would come in handy when watching over this charge.

 

Kagome stood in the clearing still, watching Kikyo as she turned and walked away from her. She watched as the older miko clad in red and white disappeared into the thickness of the trees, and her aura disappeared; out of range. Sighing, she looked down, and a flash of swirling purity caught her attention. The Shikon No Tama was there, at her feet. There seemed to be something wrong with it, though, since the inner jewel seemed in turmoil.

 

'Maybe it's because now it has InuYasha's soul in it, so it is now the jewel of the five souls…' Kagome thought.

 

Little did she know that it was the fact that right now, there was supposed to be five souls inside the jewel. Yet there wasn't.

 

The jewel was in turmoil because there were only four souls still, and it needed five to carry on as it should be.

 

InuYasha's soul was missing from the jewel.

 

For it to be forever dormant, it would have to have had a wish made on it, and an unselfish one at that. Not one to find beauty for oneself, or money, or even happiness in life. It would have to been for one other's sake, and not have benefited the wisher in a great way. Yes, bringing Kagome alive brought back every good feeling InuYasha had ever felt, but it didn't benefit him as much as it helped Kagome and their friends.

 

When the wish was made, the jewel had prepared itself to become dormant for when the fifth soul would be sucked into it. That was the turmoil that was raging inside the jewel. The four souls were angry—or, in our language, pissed off, that they had only succeeded in sucking up the mind and body of the wisher.

 

The only way that the jewel would be forever gone or asleep would be if it were no longer the jewel or the four souls, but if it were to change. Change into the jewel of five souls, and it would no longer be as powerful, or wanted as the jewel of the four souls was. Still, now, it was the jewel of the four souls, and would reek havoc onto the future and break apart innocents' lives, just like it had here, in the past.

 

Kagome did not know that, though. Even Kikyo did not know it. No one did, only because they had expected for the jewel to disappear fully when one would make a wish on it, for it to be gone forever. And now, still, they thought that even if the jewel was still here, that it was just because the memory of the jewel could not be erased, and only the jewel of the Shikon No Tama remained, its outer shell, and that the souls were gone.

 

Clipping it back onto the original shard chain, Kagome brushed the visible dirt off her skirt and shirt. She was in her old uniform. How nice. With one glance back at the way Kikyo had walked, the younger miko walked in the opposite direction, through the forest, and to the village. When she was sure no one was watching, Kagome burst into a sprint.

 

It took only an hour and a half for her to reach the village. When she reached it though, Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, and she held back a startled gasp. Most everything about the village was different, if it was the style, or the colors, or even the layout.

 

The huts were no longer all disordered and unorganized, but were set in straight lines, with dirt roads going through the town, and leading all towards a town square, where a civilized market was set up. Vendors called out, and shop owners waved banners from their shops and carts. If she had not known better, Kagome would have immediately said that she had entered Europe or North America, close to the sixteenth century, instead of the village.

 

The villagers did not stop and gawk at Kagome as she walked by, not anymore, that is. They were used to such things occurring, and put it off as another that had came from that strange village with indecent clothing for a teenaged girl. Most had forgotten about Kagome, in all, because she was just another passer by that had come to the village. Of course she was a very strange memory, but with their short lives and all, they needn't worry about such things like who came to the village, and from where. It just was not important.

 

Asking quick directions from a shop vendor, and getting a few strange looks from people, Kagome soon found her way to Sango and Miroku's hut. Pulling aside the mat curtain that blocked the doorway, she quickly knocked on the inside of the wall, warning the occupants of visitors. Stepping into the hut, Kagome let her eyes adjust to the darkness, and looked around. There were obvious signs that they had been there recently, but had just left, since the fire had just been put out.

 

Sighing again, she stepped back out and into the sunlight, letting the warmth enclose her. Getting more directions from another villager, she walked off down the path that led towards the river, or where Sango, Miroku, and Shippou were rumored to be.

 

"He probably went looking for it…" Kagome heard Miroku say, trying to comfort the crying forms of Shippou and Sango. Kagome stepped forward until she was out of the shadows, and straight across the river from them.

 

They did not look up. "How do you know? He could be having a full-out make out session with her!" Shippou cried with a watery voice. Miroku and, looking up from her crying, Sango looked at him oddly for the choice of vocabulary.

 

"A what session?" Sango asked, her voice watery too. Tears streamed down her face, and her eyes were red and puffy with crying. She held a baby attached to her back, its cute face screwed up with a nightmare. It let out a whimpering cry, and instantly Miroku was holding the baby, rocking it back and forth.

 

"Make out session." Shippou replied, wiping the tears out of his eyes with a small fist, so he could see his companions more clearly. "Like, what you and Miroku do together when you think no one's looking." He said to Sango. The look on her face was just too priceless not to let out a small laugh.

 

They looked over towards Kagome, and all gasped at the sight that lay before themselves. Standing there was Kagome, in her usual school uniform, although a little dirtier than usual, giggling away at a small comment Shippou made. Shippou stood as well, using his paw to shield that sun from his eyes, and looked over towards her.

 

"Kagome…?" He whispered, startled. She still giggled, and he ran over towards her at full speed, crashing across the river, almost drowning in its strong force of water.

 

"Momma!" The young kit cried, reaching the other bank, not bothering to shake himself off before launching himself into the young girl's arms. Tears flowed freely down both their faces, and Kagome hugged him tighter and tighter to her chest, not letting go.

 

Well, she only did when Sango and Miroku, careful of the baby he was holding over his head, watching so she not get wet, crashed across the river as well, and ran to hug her. Shippou was left sitting on the ground beside the reunited trio, holding a small baby girl in his arms, crying. The baby made another whimpering sound, and Shippou found himself comforting it with sweet words.

 

"No need to cry! Kagome's back! My momma's back!" He said, rocking the small baby slightly.

 

Having not grown that much, Kagome noted, Shippou was only a bit larger than the baby itself, and he looked ridiculous trying to comfort it. It worked, though, and Kagome giggled at the maternal, or paternal knowledge of comforting a baby he showed. Struggling to get out of Sango and Miroku's hugs, she sat down on the ground carefully, next to her kit.

 

"Momma… You're alive…" He said shakily. Kagome grinned wickedly, and held out her hand for him to see.

 

"Yup, I'm alive alright." She said. Then, her smile faded into watery eyes. "But… InuYasha—" She cut herself off, and looked down at the ground.

 

Swinging an arm around her sister's shoulders, Sango spoke. "He's… He is alright, isn't he?" She asked, worried.

 

Kagome shook her head slowly, and took the jewel off her neck to show them. They all gasped at the wicked beauty of the swirling jewel. The jewel that had caused so much pain in their lives, now fully lay before them, tempting, but pure. Kagome pointed to the swirling mass inside.

 

"He's in there." She whispered, so quietly, even Shippou had a hard time picking up the words.

"So… He wasn't having a full-out make out session with Kikyo?" Miroku asked cautiously, trying out the words Shippou had said before.

 

"Who taught you those words?" Kagome asked, a small smile on her face.

 

"What ever are you talking about, Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked, a smirk on his face as well. Shippou giggled, and Sango smiled the first big smile she had in days… Three hundred sixty-five, that is.

 

Soon, they were all laughing at Kagome's strange vocabulary from the future. "I have to go home." Kagome whispered, unsure as to how they were going to react to it. Tears gathered in Shippou's eyes again.

 

"But momma, you just got here!" He cried. Kagome handed the baby over to its parents, and the baby cried at the loss of warmth, only until it got settled in Sango's lap.

 

"I know, sweetie. I know." Kagome cried as well, holding him close to her. "But I don't belong here, Shippou. My home is in the future, where I was born. You guys are my family, and will always be. But I have to go home. I'm sorry." She sobbed, and stood up, still holding Shippou.

 

Setting him gently on the ground next to Miroku, she wept. "Goodbye. I'm sorry. Sango, Miroku, make sure you have lots of babies. Shippou, watch over their family forever, or until you can't any longer. When that happens, assign one of your children. I love you. Remember me as your family, friend, and the one who will always love you." Kagome then turned around, and walked away, but not before blowing them a small kiss.

 

0o0o0o0o0

 

Kikyo stood atop a hill, far away from the village, the forest, and anywhere that reminded her of InuYasha. He was gone now, had proved his love for Kagome was greater than his duty to her, and that she did not deserve a second chance as much as Kagome did.

 

With her soul stealers to help, the undead miko had gotten as far away as possible from the forest, or as much as one could when you were a demon. Kikyo was not a demon, but her soul stealers were, and they had brought her far away in record time, much faster than she would have been able to if she were walking there, as normal.

 

Her dull brown eyes looked over the world she once knew, before whispering her goodbyes. She was not leaving this world in total, just the world she knew as Japan. She would be traveling west, towards Western Asia, and maybe even as far as Europe. No one would know her there, and she could make a living, without every one demanding something from her.

 

"You are lucky, Kagome. Maybe one day, I will have a second chance as well…" Kikyo whispered into the wind, well aware that no one could hear her from where she stood atop the hill, watching over the land.

 

"Goodbye." She whispered into the wind again. Turning around, she left towards her knew land, where she would make a new living, for once, her own. A life or her own.

 

0o0o0o0o0

 

Kagome stood before the well, in the small clearing where it was placed. The well that would take her home, to the future, where she actually belonged. Kagome just hoped that she was not making that mistake of leaving, and that she was meant to be in the future. That there would be meaning in the future. Of course, she could not predict the future of the future, and so she would just have to wait and see how it all turned out.

 

Closing her eyes, a small breeze that felt of far away twirled around her, lifting up her hair and blowing it in the wind.

 

'You are lucky, Kagome.' It said. The young miko heard it so clear, it was like whispers in her ears. 'Maybe one day, I will have a second chance as well…' it said then, and Kagome looked around to the surrounding forest, and everywhere through it. She could not sense anything, and Kagome knew that she would have seen the soul stealers.

 

'Kikyo!' Kagome cried into the wind, still searching for the undead miko.

 

'Goodbye…' It whispered, and the breeze that had been playing with her hair left, only to find a new home.

 

Walking towards the well, Kagome sat on the lip of it, and kicked her legs along the side of it. The darkness below, and the faint aura of dead demons might have been threatening for some, but Kagome knew that it was not, and that through that well was her only way home. Glancing back one last time, Kagome pushed herself forward and into the well, only to be surrounded by the familiar, comforting, blue light that meant she was home. Home for good.

 

0o0o0o0o0

 

Three days at home, and Kagome was fully settled back into the futuristic life of her home. Seated at the table, she sat with her mother, brother, and grandfather, enjoying another great breakfast her mother had made. Finishing, Kagome stood up and took her plate to the sink, preparing to wash it. Seeing as her brother was done too, she took the liberty of washing his as well.

 

"Hey Kagome…" Souta started, slightly hesitant. Smiling and cocking her head to the side, Kagome encouraged him to continue on. "Will you pick me up from school now that you're always home?" He asked, and Kagome smiled again.

 

"Sure squirt, my school starts next week, so I can be there a bit early." She said, and went back to cleaning the dishes.

 

"Thanks, Kagome!" Souta gave her a quick hug, before running away to play more video games, rambling on about how he could show off to the other kids about how his 'cool sister' was coming to pick him up.

 

"No video games, Souta!" Their mother called after him. "Get ready for school, you have to leave in ten minutes!" Sighing, she took over the dishes from her daughter, allowing the young girl the time to change out of her pajamas and into something more suited for walking to school.

 

Kagome changed into some loose black Capri's that had a silver dragon winding up the right leg, and a plain black halter-top tank top that showed off her tough tummy muscles. Hey, spending all that time walking in the Feudal era paid off for something at least, like building up the muscles in her stomach, legs, and arms from carrying that back pack for so long.

 

Slipping on a plain pair of black and white gym shoes over her socks, Kagome ran back down the stairs, and into the living room, where Souta was preparing his backpack for the first day of school. Zipping up the zippers until it was fully closed, Souta slung it over his shoulder, almost toppling over from the weight of all his school supplies.

 

"Ready to go, squirt?" Kagome called, ruffling his hair a bit. He scowled and mussed his hair up so it looked like it had before Kagome had flattened it out. Unbrushed.

 

"Don't call me squirt, I'm in fourth grade now!" He shouted, and Kagome laughed. Turning away, she left, beckoning for Souta to follow. He hopped along behind her, trying to handle the weight of his backpack

 

When Kagome offered to carry it for him, he declined, muttering something about his 'cool sister' wanting to embarrass him by showing everyone he was weak, and how strong she was. Kagome laughed, shrugged, and continued on at a slower pace, making sure Souta could keep up. They ran into neighbors as they walked down the street, all waving hello to Kagome, and wishing her well.

 

"Higurashi!" Someone yelled, and inwardly, Kagome groaned. She put a smile on her face, though, and turned around to see Hojo running down the street towards them, with a huge box full of something.

 

"Hey, Hojo…" Kagome said, and muttered some select curses under her breath at her 'good' fortune. Muscles weren't the only thing Kagome had picked up from InuYasha and traveling around the Feudal era. Hojo had changed as well.

 

His once weak arms and flabby muscles had been toned down, and a light tan adorned his skin. Long brown hair flopped down in front of Hojo's face, only to be brushed away by a large hand. Kagome had never really seen him outside his school clothes, and he hadn't seen her either. Light brown shorts seemed way too small to be comfortable, and a tight green shirt went with the theme of the not-so-loose clothing he wore.

 

"I just wanted to drop something off." He said, the usual smile on his face.

 

"Thanks, I guess." Kagome said, muttering the last part. She motioned for Souta to move onwards towards the school.

 

"I was wondering if you were going to the festival in two weeks, the Saturday after school starts." Hojo questioned, still smiling. Did he ever frown? Or grin, or smirk even? Anything would be better than that annoying, constant, non-replaceable smile that was always on his face.

 

"Uh…" She was at a loss for words. Of course she wanted to go, but if she said she was going, then Hojo would invite her to go with him, and Kagome just couldn't hurt his feeling by saying no.

 

"If you are, you could come with me." He bubbled, hopeful. He handed her the box.

 

"Uh… I'll have to get back to you on that." Kagome responded carefully, grabbing the box, and walking backwards slowly. "Gotta go, I think I hear Souta calling… Souta! Wait up!" She called, turning and running away quickly, towards her younger brother.

 

It only took a few more minutes before they reached the school, where it seemed every single kid in Japan played. Kagome, with a quick goodbye, soon lost sight of Souta in the crowd of kids playing at the playground. The bell rung, and they all lined up in front of the doors, some kids waved to waiting parents, while Souta was just too busy. When he caught sight of Kagome, though, he pointed her out to all of his friends and waved. She waved back, and turned and left when the teacher brought them inside.

 

Walking to the park nearby, Kagome sat down on a bench, and let out a deep breath. It had taken a lot of energy out of her by standing up to Hojo, even if it didn't seem like it. Hojo was just… what's the word, oh yes. Boring. So normal. He always smiled, always said nice things, so predictable.

 

Kagome needed a man in her life that was unpredictable, someone who you did not know what was going on in his mind. She had seen extreme action, so she needed someone who dealt with extreme action. It couldn't be some boring old school friend that liked to give you gifts and say kind words. It had to be someone adventurous, and different…

 

Sighing, she opened the box, only to find 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' staring right back at her. A large, white, round cake was in the box, along with a small note from Hojo at the bottom. Kagome opened it, and blanched at reading the polite words of wisdom from her suitor.

 

Dear Kagome,

 

I hope you are feeling alright after everything. You were gone in that hospital in America for so long! This cake is full of healthy vitamins and herbs that will help prevent your 'Evil-guy-named-Naraku-syndrome' from coming back.

 

So that was what her grandfather had come up with for her mysterious illness. She sweat-dropped at the name. ''Evil-guy-named-Naraku-syndrome'? How bad can this get? Maybe I shouldn't have told them every single detail about Naraku. Grandpa would have come up with something more believable.' Kagome thought to herself, rolling her eyes.

 

I know that your birthday isn't for another week or two, and that I could have given this to you when school starts, but I felt the need to give it to you earlier to prevent infections and irritations.

 

'The only irritation I have is you…' Kagome thought.

 

Well, I hope you get better, and call me sometime to make up for all those missed dates! Stay in bed as long as you can, though, I don't want you getting any sicker than you already are. Oh, and Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi say hello and wish you much better. They are going to a different high school, while we are going to the same one! Can you believe our luck? Well, see you soon.

 

Hojo.

 

'Yeah, what luck.' Kagome said in her mind.

 

Standing up, Kagome picked up the box and walked through the exit of the park, past all the old ladies feeding pigeons, and all the tiny children not in school yet, playing at the park. Stopping at the exit, she found a trashcan and dumped the cake in there.

 

Kagome walked around for hours, until she headed back towards the school to pick up Souta. She had done nothing of great importance today, besides buying a new chain to put the Shikon No Tama on, and would make sure that it never fell off. It was a long chain, and so to Shikon No Tama fell just above her chest. To make sure it was safe from prying eyes, Kagome tucked it underneath her shirt.

 

Walking back towards the school, Kagome noticed she was three minutes late. Breaking into a run, the young miko ran through crowds of people, past allies and shops, until a strange, muffled noise made her stop. It came from an ally just off the street where she was running on towards the school.

 

Taking a few moments, Kagome debated whether she should go and see what was up in the ally and be a little bit later to pick up Souta than she already was, or should she just keep on going, ignoring the muffled noises that came from the ally like it was nothing. Being the kind-hearted person she was, of course Kagome walked into the dark ally.

 

Only to see four big thugs surrounding her little brother. She gasped, and a hand flew to her mouth in surprise. His backpack lay a little off to the side, and a small streak of blood was coming from the left corner of his mouth. Even though it was a small noise, it alerted the thugs of her presence, and they turned around to face her, tossing Souta into a nearby trash can.

 

"Oh look, boys, a little girly." The obvious leader said, grinning. The grin revealed three missing teeth, maybe even more that she couldn't see.

 

The brief space of time that their attention was off Souta was all Kagome needed. As always, her mind wasn't on getting out of this situation, but making sure Souta got out alright. "Souta! Run!" She cried, just as they grabbed her arms. He seemed hesitant, but ran away through the other end of the ally once he saw the urgency in his sister's eyes.

 

The thugs grunted and growled, but turned their attention back onto Kagome. "We were gonna be nice and play with ya a little first, but now I think we'll just beat the crap out of ya!" The leader said, and brought back his fist to punch her in the face.

 

0o0o0o0o0

 

MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! FACE MY EVIL WRATH!

 

 

 

Just kidding. Well, sort of.

 

 

 

Wow! Thanks! Here are my little notes for you guys!

 

 

 

Anybody fans of The Cure? (I don't own) The Cure is awesome… Well, give me a shout out if you are, thanks…

 

 

 

Your reviews were awesome, thank you guys! As much as last time would be appreciated, and I am very sorry that you had to wait so long for this update. Again, I hope my apology is accepted by my loving reviewers. Cookies for all who forgive me!

 

 

 

 

Here are the summaries to two of my new stories. Please vote and tell me which one sounds better:

 

 

 

1. Blood: Who could ever know that just a little bit of blood was all it needed to bring two lonely souls together? When a little bit turns into a lot, what's to do at a time like this besides panic? [Ses+Kag]

 

 

Well, this does not deal with the blood that runs through your veins, like heritage. No, it involves real blood, like when—well, you'll just have to wait. That summary sucks, I know.

 

 

 

2. Into The Dark: They were just another group of normal high school kids. You've got the violent one, the icy one, the perverted one, and the rude one. Oh, and don't forget the five-hundred year old girl you found pinned to a tree in a dark forest on your vacation last week… [Bankotsu+Kagome+Sesshomaru]

 

 

I haven't decided which pairing I want with Kagome yet…

 

 

 

Well, please

 

 

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

 

Love, Cat.