InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Deeper Destiny ❯ Chapter 2

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A Deeper Destiny: Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, he's property of Rumiko Takahashi. But then again, he can't be owned. Lemme try that again. Inuyasha is the illustrious creation of Rumiko Takahashi. But I repeat, this story, its plot, original characters, etc, belongs to me. How To Save A Life is performed by The Fray. I don't own the song or the lyrics.
Sesshoumaru took a small sip of the tea he held and studied her over the rim of the cup. ‘It’s been seven years since I have last seen her, yet she looks to have aged only three. Her powers are stronger than ever. But they are dormant. Hn. China never did have a demon problem.’ He watched silently as she scolded a servant for being too formal with her and whined about not being of real royal blood. ‘She is still so humble and kind-hearted. And still beautiful and vibrant. Chinese apparel does suit her, but she’d look even more beautiful in a kimono with her hair down. Although these Chinese robes do flaunt her curves.’ He mentally shook his head and berated himself for his thoughts as he put his cup down. She turned to him and smiled.
“Sesshou-kun, you cannot believe how much I have missed you! It’s been years since I have seen a familiar face. Hell, it‘s been years since I last saw a demon! China is definitely lacking, no matter how luxurious it is here.” He chuckled.
“You haven‘t changed a bit, Kagome. Or should I say Jinghua?” She scrunched up her face.
“They named me that shortly after I arrived here five years ago. It means--”
“Splendid situation.” Kagome nodded. “Care to explain how you obtained such a name and how you came to reside in China?” Kagome sighed and made herself comfortable.
“After Kaede died… I couldn’t stay around any longer. Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kaede… they were all gone. And Inuyasha…”
“Had Kikyo.”
“Yes. So I left and traveled about Japan for two years, training, learning to survive, helping those in need. Then one day, I rescued a woman in golden robes from two bat Youkai. A great rainstorm ensued and we stayed in a cave for five days as she healed. During that time, I discovered she was the Empress Phoenix. She took me back to China with her so that I could rewrite history.”
“Rewrite history?”
“Yes, you see there is a tale back in my era,” She waited for him to nod, since she had told him the truth about herself before the final battle, “that centers around the very family I live with today. The Empress was having an affair with the first Crown Prince Wan, who was the son of the Emperor’s first wife. The Emperor knew and planned to poison her hourly medicinal tea, making her lose her mind and die in a month’s time. She would have discovered this and would raise an army against him. However, she would fail and in the process all three Princes would have died. So I did what I could to prevent this from happening. Unfortunately, I received recognition for what I did. The people here call me the glue that binds the Imperial Family together.”
“Only you would have such a pure heart as to save a family from themselves. And to leave your homeland and everything you know… Kagome, only you would be foolish enough to do so.” She frowned indignantly. He cut her off before she spoke. “And yet, you are incredible brave and courageous and caring.” He gave her a smile, a real smile he only shared with Kagome and Rin. Kagome smiled back, her elation obvious. She knew she was one of two people who ever got to see him truly smile.
“If I may ask, how are Rin and Jaken? Have they not accompanied you?”
“They are fine, and no, they stayed home. And Rin is growing into an adolescent age, with all her moodiness and rebellion. It is extremely annoying.” The miko from the future turned Chinese princess laughed.
“It’s part of growing up, Sesshoumaru. But Rin-chan will be needing a female figure in her life soon, I do not think you’ll be suitable when she starts to mature into a woman.” He nodded carefully, his mind swallowed in thought from what she said. When it was clear that all she was going to get was a nod, she continued to speak. “So how is everything in Japan? Anything big happen in the last five years?”
“Hn. A few minor wars between Youkai lords is all. Otherwise, it has been peaceful.” Kagome smiled. He studied her, and she looked away, embarrassed. He watched as her face of embarrassment faded into one lost in thought. He saw pain and sadness seep into her eyes. Her brow furrowed and her lips thinned. She turned to him, and opened her mouth, but bit her lip and looked down again.
“Sesshoumaru, I--”
“You want to know of Inuyasha.” She gave him a pained nod. And for the one of the first times in his life, Sesshoumaru felt something akin fear. He didn’t want to tell her about his brother’s death. Bracing himself, he took a deep breath. She watched him and noticed the nervous fear in his eyes, followed by sadness and regret. “A year after your disappearance, Inuyasha and Kikyo fell ill.” He saw her eyes widen. “It was incurable. Not even the best mikos or medicines could heal them. Many villagers fell from this sickness as well.” He mentally beat himself as hot burning tears spilled down the girl’s cheeks. He moved to her side of the table and held her in his arms, allowing her to cry into his chest. He hated himself for telling her, but he had to do it. “Kagome… before he passed, he told me something. Stop your tears and I’ll show you.” Her tears slowed down until it was only a slow trickle. She sniffled and looked up at him questioningly.
“Show me?” He nodded and put two fingers to her temple.
“Close your eyes, Kagome.” She did so and he followed. He found the memory he was looking for and let it fill his mind.
Kagome gasped as the black she saw brightened into a white light.
“Sesshoumaru?”
“Shh, I’m here.” He appeared beside her. “Look.” She gasped again as she found herself and Sesshoumaru in a dark hut. She noticed that she and Sesshoumaru were translucent. She was about to question him when suddenly she noticed something. In a shadowed corner, Inuyasha lay on a futon, pale and sickly. ‘Inuyasha.’ Another Sesshoumaru, the memory one, entered the hut and gazed upon his younger brother.
Brother.
Sesshou.. Maru. Inuyasha gasped out, his breathing harsh.
How do you fare today, Inuyasha?
I’m still alive aren’t I?
Hn.
Kikyo died this morning.
Are you going to follow her?
Soon. But not yet. Aniki.. The memory Sesshoumaru looked surprised.
Yes?
Take me out to the Goshinboku one last time. Please. Sesshoumaru looked at him for a moment before carefully picking up the limp body of his brother. Using his Youkai cloud, he flew over to the sacred God tree and carefully placed Inuyasha into its branches, seating himself next to his brother.
Thanks. The Taiyoukai merely nodded. Where’s Kagome? Sesshoumaru jumped a little, taken aback by the Hanyou’s question
You remember her?
Of course… Where is she?
This Sesshoumaru… does not know. She left shortly after the old miko’s death. Inuyasha nodded, and raised a leg to rest his arm on it.
Tell… tell that idiot. That I love her. I didn’t love Kikyo. Not at the end, at least. I loved her, that foolish girl. But she had to go and make that wish.
This Sesshoumaru will honor your last wishes. Inuyasha nodded, then laughed. He looked past the branches to where the real Sesshoumaru and Kagome stood. Kagome shivered. It seemed like Inuyasha could really see them there. He smiled lovingly.
She’ll find happiness again. He lay back against the trunk of the tree, still staring at the spot where she and Sesshoumaru stood. Kagome felt as though his piercing gold eyes truly did see her. She noticed the memory Sesshoumaru looking suspiciously in their direction as well. Inuyasha handed Tetsuaiga to Sesshoumaru.
Here. Give it to her when you find her. He looked back at the spot he’d been staring at. Kagome shivered again. I love you Kagome.
Her eyes widened as she saw his eyes close slowly. He let out his last breath as his lips closed in a smile. He died peacefully with her name the last word on his lips. As tears began to blur her vision, all the colors faded away to the bright white light again. She blinked, and she was in Sesshoumaru’s arms again. She cried silently as their tea grew cold on the table. They sat there for a long while, Sesshoumaru stroking her hair gently. Finally, she pulled away, her cheeks wet with tears, but her eyes had stopped the salty moisture from pouring out again. He saw a new light in her eyes. She stood slowly.
“Excuse me… for a moment.” He nodded, confused. He listened carefully as she walked to the next room. He heard some shifting, and a deep breath of air. The presence that had been lurking near by finally entered the tea room. Sesshoumaru looked up into the brown eyes of the Crown Prince Jai. The Prince sat silently where Kagome had once sat.
“Prepare yourself. Jinghua-- Kagome will grace us with song.”
“Song?” The Prince nodded.
“When she is overwhelmed with emotion, she goes to the music room. In there we have a piano from the west. She plays and sings, sometimes in Chinese, sometimes Japanese, sometimes English. The first song she ever sang here… was the song that was written for our supposed tale. Ju Hua Tai.” Their conversation stopped when they began to hear the music of a piano. Sesshoumaru felt the pain and sadness in its haunting notes. He felt more presences lurking nearby, probably to hear Kagome. Then they heard her voice, slow and soft at first.

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it’s just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame Her voice began to pick up volume.
And you begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you’ve told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you’ve followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he’ll say he’s just not the same
And you’ll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Her voice faded and the last few lingering notes of the piano rang out. Sesshoumaru shook his head, trying to shake these suffocating feelings from himself. He turned suddenly when he heard the Crown Prince choke out a chuckle. He felt his anger rising.
“Don’t try to suppress the feelings her song draws out. It’s impossible.” Sesshoumaru noticed the slight moisture in Jai’s eyes, then became aware of the wetness in his own eyes. He turned away from him and felt his heart clench painfully as he remembered Kagome’s song. “Hm. She hasn’t sung in English for a while. Consider yourself lucky.” He nodded at the brown-eyed man. “Tell me, what has caused my sister’s tears?” Sesshoumaru regarded him for a moment.
“I, unfortunately, am the bearer of bad news. I informed Kagome of my brother Inuyasha’s death.” The man’s eyes widened.
“He has died?”
“Yes, four years ago.” Jai clenched his jaw.
“My heart and soul cry for my sister.” Sesshoumaru didn’t respond, but instead contemplated the man’s words. ‘His heart and soul cry for her. Is that the pain that I feel? Does my heart hurt for her as well? My Youkai demands that I comfort her. But I should give her some space. She’ll come to me willingly.’

A/N: Okay. I know I made Kagome sing The Fray's 'How To Save A Life.' I know it seems a bit off, but my friend Sharyll sang it once while playing it on the piano and -whoa- it was so awesome. It was really beautiful.. And I really could imagine Kagome singing it just like her. So please, just try to understand where I'm coming from. I'd so record Sharyll and upload it, but she thinks she sucks and absolutely refuses to. [She didn't know that I was listening to her in the first place.] Anyway, you know what to do. Review and I'll love you for life.