InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 3

Kikyous light and determined steps made their way to the mouth of the cave and paused before entering. She knew the hanyou was inside, and she could tell that he had recently been hurt. In a different time, it might have been she who had wounded the half demon, trying to end his life as repayment for his betrayal. Yes, Inuyasha has had his fair share of wounds from her hands. The first time they met she had launched arrows at him pinning him to a tree. Arrows meant to wound, not to kill. The stubborn dog demon kept at it relentlessly, like a glutton for punishment. Yet the miko was unable to bring herself to kill him.

He was in between both worlds. Hated by humans, despised by demons. He had no place. `Just like me' she had thought. She was a priestess, and a powerful one at that. Humans bowed to her, respected her, praised her, but they did not think of her as they were. No good natured joking, casual conversation or impure thoughts were permitted towards her. She was isolated… except for the children.

They always spoke what was on their mind, gave easy smiles, generous hugs, and joked and teased. She enjoyed being in their company the most. Often while with them she wished her dear little sister had the free spirit of those in her village. True she had childlike qualities, but she so admired her older sister so greatly that she tried to mirror her stoic expressions and calculated responses.

She was also a woman with desires. She longed for an intimate relationship, the laughter of her own children, a man to touch her in a way that only a husband could…

…But that was not her destiny. She was charged to keep the shikon pure and the demons it attracted at bay.

Once she and the dog demon began their unusual relationship, the awkward phase of not trying to steal the jewel and not trying to ward off the demon, she allowed herself to enjoy the company of another outsider. Another male. And this one was good looking, for a demon anyways.

He often reminded her of a cat more than a dog. He was so skittish that one quick movement would had sent him leaping to the trees. But he was unafraid to use vulgar language, he said what was on his mind, when he bothered to speak that is, and he allowed her to be a woman, not a priestess. Despite not being her perfect candidate, she became found of the hanyou and looked forward to their meetings.

When the idea had struck her that the jewel would be purified if Inuyasha wished to become human, she suddenly knew what she must do. She could be discharged from her role as protector, and Inuyasha could finally have a place to fit in. She knew at once it was fate, it was destiny.

Yet it was not meant to be. Not in that life, not at that time. Once the realization dawned on her, she was determined that they would get their time together in the afterlife. He owed her that. She let loose an arrow and sealed him to a tree, hoping that it would kill the hanyou so she could meet him in Hell. Instead she was left alone again, and he was left to sleep.

Then that girl had come and pulled HER arrow from his chest. Inuyasha had spoke HER name and she had been sent back into the world of the living in a false body with murderous thoughts occupying her mind.

Much has changed since then. She had learned the true villain as not Inuyasha, but Naraku, and she once again had a purpose. No, she would not be a slave to the shikon any longer. She was owed vengeance. Taking pity on a wicked heart had cost her her life. She owed her anger to the demon who had ruined everything.

She and Inuyasha had different ways of destroying Naraku. Kikyou aimed for more personal measures, where as he seeked to complete the jewel. It always came back to the jewel. So they went their own way and met up for short trysts. And every time they did, she noticed how he changed, repulsed that he could still evolved while her position was fixed.

He was less afraid, more open, he spoke more ad gave his opinions with authority. He suddenly had confidence and a place to fit in. He of course never showed these things to her, it was all from pieces she had glimpsed in passing. With her he was solemn and serious. Any trace of joy wiped from his boyish face.

As she stared at the cave, she wondered what new change she would see in the hanyou.

~.~

InuYasha could tell she was here long before she entered. The scent of death and grave yard soil infiltrated the air, battling with the sweet lingering scent of Kagome. The contrast was enough to turn his stomach. He brought his eyes to the mouth of the cave and watched as the woman slowly made her approach.

“Inuyasha” was all she said for a simple greeting. An acknowledgement.

“K-Kikyou… what are you doing here?” He stumbled on his words. It never mattered if it was she who found him or the other way around, it always was a shock to see the dead miko.

`”I could sense you nearby. Why, should I not be here? Do you not wish for my company?” She asked as she moved closer. His instincts told him to back up, but it was impossible. Damn wall. Damn injuries!

“No! Its not that, Im just surprised…” Did he wish for her company? He never gave the subject much thought. He owed her his company.

His ears swiveled as he heard the crunch of twigs and leaves. Kagome was nearby with the firewood. He moved his eyes off of the woman covered in white and red to the new arrival. She stood frozen in the doorway taking in the situation. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, unsure of what to say, clutching the bundle of firewood in her arms. Should she go? Should she stay? Could her feet even move if she commanded them to?

Kikyou eyed the hanyou up and down. He was shirtless and covered in strange bandages. He did not wrap these wounds himself. Had he ever let her treat his ailments? Had he ever let her touch him in this intimate way? Yet he let this girl…

“Inuyasha, you are injured. Let me look at the wounds for you.” Her voice was stone, lacking warmth, and final. At this Kagome snapped out of her stupor. She may not have gone to medical school, but she certainly had treated Inuyasha enough to know she had done a decent job. Kikyou would simply be undermining her! She gathered her courage.

“His wounds are fine. I've already treated them.” Her tone had a tinge of bitterness to it. Inuyasha flattened his ears to his head, immediately deciding he didn't like it.

“What knowledge have you of herbs and remedies to properly treat someone girl. My skills surpass yours. Do you not wish for Inuyasha to have the best care?” She kept her eyes trained on her reincarnation.

“Yes, I do. I don't use herbs, I use ointments that surpass what you have here. I've treated and bandaged him every time he gets hurt and he hasn't died of infection yet. Besides, this is far from the worst wound he has had.”

Kikyou narrowed her eyes and moved to reach for his bandages.

“Leave them.” Kagomes voice was firm. She mentally wondered how it didn't shake and quiver, she was on the inside. She was a bundle of nerves. Up until this point, Inuyasha had been feeling very small. Who should he side with? This was unlike any situation he had been in before.
It was as if each woman was staking their claim. Seeing her cold hands approaching his chest he pushed them away.

“O-Oi! I aint a pup!” He shot a look to Kagome. “I keep telling you, I'm fine. And-” moving to look towards Kikyou, “I don't need these bandages changed. I need them fucking off. This is a damn waste of time! I'm a half demon. I heal quicker than you pathetic humans do!”

Kikyou removed her rejected hands and weighed his words. Inuyasha let out an angry sigh. Seeing that Kagome had won that standoff she made her way to the fire and added some of the collected wood. She was starving. She knew Inuyasha was too. Yet she made no move to start the tea. She had no desire to lengthen their companies visit.

Kikyou looked over the scene before her suddenly felt out of place. She turned to leave. Inuyasha shot up behind her.

“Kikyou, your leaving?”

“For the time being. Rest assured, I will see you soon, Inuyasha.”

“What was it you wanted?”

“I will tell you when we meet next. Now is not the time.” Kagomes head snapped up at this as she watched the undead miko retreat. Now she was left in the cave, suddenly wishing she could run. The air was thick with tension, unspoken words, old, bitter betrayals. The hanyou didn't know what to do. He dressed his upper half and sat back in his previous seat.

“…Kagome…”

“Not now InuYasha.” Her voice lacked the joy it normally held. The dog demon flattened his ears.

“Oi wench, don't ignore me!”

“Im not ignoring you, I just don't feel like talking to you.”

“You know I didn't seek her out right? She just came here.”

Kagome turned to look at him. Typically, she would have been too embarrassed to make eye contact, but she bravely held his gaze. His eyes, wild with guilt met hers, tired and worn.

“You don't have to explain anything to me. You don't owe me an explanation.”

That had taken him aback. True, she had always given him leave to see Kikyou, but it always resulted in an unpleasant mood after. She would sit him or cry, usually both, followed by her bellowing that she was going home. Now, she just turned back to the fire and poked at it, letting everything roll of her shoulders. He had never seen her like this. It was unnerving, to see her passion so drained.

“Keh, who said I had anything to explain anything woman.” He quickly stated, automatically on the defense.

“Then what is it you want?” Her voice was flat, neutral.

“…Never mind if you're gonna be that way about it!”

Kagome shook her head, her raven locks swaying slightly.

“Let's just eat and get some sleep. You should be well enough by tomorrow morning to get back to the village… the sooner we get to sleep the sooner we get back.”

Inuyasha winced at this. She was eager to get away from him. He knew the minute they stepped foot in the village she would gather her enormous backpack and hop through the well. The hanyou couldn't help the look of pain in his eyes.

Kagome sighed in defeat. “I just need some time to think Inuyasha. I'm not going to leave you, I just need to think.”

“Why can't you think here?” He spat, more roughly than he intended.

“Because I need some distance to sort things out. I don't want to talk about this anymore.” She turned her attention back to the fire and tended to their meal. Kagome closed her eyes, knowing the trip back was going to be a long, slow one.

And she had been looking so forward to it too.

~.~

Inuyasha reached the well and leaned down to reluctantly let the girl off his back. He immediately missed her warmth, the feel of her thighs in his hands, and her pleasant weight pressed against his back. He looked at her with sad eyes.

“Don't be too long wench.”

“I wont be.”

Inuyasha fidgeted, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“Keh, better not. Don't make me come get you.”

“Okay.” She moved to the lip of the well, throwing a leg over.

“You will come back, right?” He asked smally. He wasn't even sure he spoke it out loud. She turned her head to look at him and gave soft smile.

“Yes Inuyasha, I always come back.”

And with that she disappeared into the time slip, leaving a hurt and confused hanyou to his thoughts. He sat back against the well, inhailing Kagomes lingering scent, filling his lungs to capacity. He knew it would be a few days before he smelled her again, and he wanted to soak up as much of it as he could. It was bitter sweet; her scent was laced with sadness. Closing his eyes, he wondered how long she would be away, and how he was ever going to dig himself out of this hole that seemed to be his life.