InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 11

A/N: Thank you every one for the reviews and my faithful readers! It still amazes me that people actually want to read what I write. Thank you for supporting my first fan fic!

Just to address a few questions:

This IS a Kagome and Inuyasha story, so no worries! I enjoy happy endings as much as the next person

And Jiro is not a reincarnation. He is an added character to help Kagome transition from her depression.

The time is coming where the well will be reopened, so read on!

I love to hear feed back!

Kagome brushed the hair out of her face and turned towards the shrine. The mountain of stairs ahead of her ahead of her seemed over whelming today. Dragging one foot in front of the other she ascended each step with a lethargy she had not previously known. In only a few short months she had lost the ability of extreme endurance. Maybe it was the adrenaline that was the key factor all along; running towards and goal is much more motivating than getting up the shrine steps. By the time she reached the top it took all her effort not to weep tears of joys. She wanted to praise herself for making it that far.

That was until her clumsy feet tripped over themselves and she landed face first into the dirt.

“Yo, whats wrong with you?” Jiro asked, arching his brow at the energy depleted girl.

“Im dying. Just leave me be.” She made no move from her position. Jiro inched closer and nudged her with his foot.

“Ugh, just let me deteriorate into the ground. I don't want to move.”

Strong hand reached down and hoisted the miko over his shoulder.

“Cant. You will be in the way of the patrons. If you want to waste away and die, do it over here.” He slid her off his shoulder and she landed on the ground with an `umph'. He had brought her to the side of the house.

“Thanks.” She muttered half begrudgingly, rubbing her backside.

“Whats your problem today?”

“We had extensive testing today at gym. I skipped breakfast because I as running late, I skipped lunch because my leg were too sore to move, and Im exhausted because I was up late studying for an exam.” She allowed her eyes to slide closed. It wasn't long before she felt something hit her in the gut.

“Ow!” she cried, looking down at the offensive object. It was a red, declicious,mouthwatering apple.

“Get your strength up. We have to leave in an hour to pick up that ancient artifact.”

She couldn't help but whine.

“Do I realllly have to go?” She asked, trying in vain to use puppy dog eyes

“Yes, because you said you would. Besides, I don't know how heavy this thing is. They gave me almost no information about it.”

“Ugh fine.” The girl said as she brought the apple to her mouth resulting in a satisfying crunch.

Jiro looked over at her. No, he didn't need her help. He was perfectly capable of handling whatever it was that the family wished to gift to the shrine.

He wanted her company.

Since the day he told her off, he had been captivated by her. He had never expected that reaction, let alone her burst of laughter.

And when she smiled-

Well, he wanted to be the one to make that twinkle in her eyes happen again. He wanted her. And he didn't want to share.

Suitors came to the shrine more often now that she was in higher spirits. Jiro did his best to shoo them away. Most of the time all he had to do was stand up straight and cross his arms. He was aware that he was an intimidating man; he was tall and well built, and if the flock of women that followed him everywhere were any kind of measurement, he was handsome. Very handsome.

It had been a while since someone looked at him as more than a pleasant face and firm body. Kagome saw through his false act and the little girl had actually tried to put him in his place! He couldn't figure out exactly who she was. She had so much fire and determination in that little body of hers, yet it was always laced with an unwavering sadness.

He gave her a rooked grin. “Remember, an hour. Or Ill drag you there myself.”

“You might have to” Kagome complained, “Im pretty sure my legs are jello.”

She closed her eyes, and for a moment, she could almost hear a certain dog demons response.

`Keh, weak human. Always slowing me down, damn it!' He was mutter, but he would bend down and carry her, his hands giving her the gentleness his words couldn't express.

She misses those hands. They were rough and calloused, from both combat and years of use. They were a providers hands; so strong that he could bring his enemies down with the flick of his wrist, and so soothing that they brought her warmth and comfort. His claws, lethal weapons by every definition; she had seen him gut monsters and demons like it was nothing. But, he never once inflicted pain on her with them; he was always careful and aware, his touches light and delicate. At times she wondered if he was afraid to touch her. She stretched out her own dainty hands.

They were rougher than before she entered the feudal era; during her time traveling she had toughened up her skin from her archery. Hands were very important to his time period. If you did not possess strong hands, you would not survive.

She wondered what hardships his hands had to endure since she left.

~.~

Sango couldn't help but laugh as she watched Shippo chase Kirara; the months had passed and he was still so heavy hearted. She knew the loss of Kagome would be one he carried with him always. She had not been there when he joined the group after the death of his parents, but she understood what he must have been feeling.

He did not look at Kagome as a mother, but as a precious savior. He wanted to be by her side, protect not only her, but the happiness that she gave him. Just her very presence calmed him. He had not had a true smile since Kikyou joined their group.

The slayer closed her eyes in disgust. That clay disgrace. She drove out the woman who had brought her from the brink of insanity, from the brink of death. She trampled on her feelings and kind nature, and didn't even give her room to sort out her emotions.

Inuyasha didn't even seem to appreciate the sacrifice that Kagome made' he didn't want it. She had always known that a day would come when a decision must be made in their warped love triangle, but she had always envisioned a happy ending for her friends. Although they would never openly admit it, they were so deeply in love with one another. It seemed to her that Inuyasha would have manned up and made the obvious choice.

In the end, he wasn't even given one.

She cast her eye up to look at Inuyasha. He sat on his perch, watching the scene unfold before him, one hand pressed against his chest. He had been doing that for months and she couldn't figure out why. Perhaps he missed the weight of the rosary beads? He flicked his ear and lowered his gaze. He gave a slight nod to Sango then resumed his previous posture.

He couldn't help the thoughts that over flowed him during these down times. He fingered his chain, thumbing each link carefully. It was getting worn down with worry. All he could think was `its my fault. Its my fault. Its my fault'

Since the beginning, he had compared the two women, and Kagme was never portrayed with a winning light. She wasn't as good of an archer as Kikyou, not as trained and disciplined as she, a less powerful miko, clumsy, thoughtless, constantly putting herself into danger…

He had said all of those reckless things. In truth, he had tried to drive her away. He was so frightened that he would get close to her, and he would wake up and she would be gone.

He had always known.

Instead of treating her preciously, he treated her like she was disposable. Instead of speaking the things that he truly wanted to confess, he would bite his tongue and say lies to her that would burn in her memory.

Had he been honest, and not such a fucking coward, maybe she would have fought what Kikyou asked of her.

Yet, he couldn't help but compare them still.

Kikyou was cold, unmoving and silent, whereas Kagome was a burning fire, passionate and loud. She filled up silences with laughter and comfort. Kikyou was a fighter, and depended on no one; Kagome needed the help, and was always unafraid to ask. She allowed herself to trust people, to see the potential in them. Kikyou took action first and forgave no one; Kagome put herself in others shoes and tried to find middle ground.

He recalled what Kikyou had asked his only yesterday.

`Inuyasha, I feel that it would be in our best interest if we separated from the others in the group, and fought Naraku alone.'

`Wh..what? Where I this coming from?'

`This… this is our fight, Inuyasha. The jewel, Naraku… it is our story. They do not have the same stake in it as we.'

`That bastard has hurt each one of them and taken from them as well. It is just as important to them as it is to us.'

`Inuyasha, there can be no `us' as long as we remain in their company. They look at me with contempt in their eyes and blackness in their thoughts. They do not wish for us to succeed The ghost of that girl is still carried with them. As long as we remain with the others, there is no possible way for us to move forward.'

He had not answered her. He just turned his head and watched his companions in silence.

Abandon his friends? Leave his pack?

Kagome would have never allowed it. She was the one who brought them in in the first place. She saw the pain in their eyes and took them by the hand. She eased their burdens and soothed their hearts. They became a family, because of her. She was the binding agent, the light, the purity that kept them all together.

He had no intentions to leave his friends. Did she want him to herself? Was it jealousy? Or did she simply want no competition for his attention.

He was beginning to detest being in her company. She would sit closely to him if given the opportunity, and the smell of her made him sick. She reeked of death and grave yard soil. It made his head spin.

He missed Kagomes scent. He missed his clothes having the slight trace of her fragrance. He missed how it was carried on the breeze, the smell of her excitement when he would jump into the air, the smell of her arousal when he worked up the nerve to kiss her.

Ugh, he missed that the most. He missed it while she was with him. He missed it more so now. If he had the chance to see her again…

He would make her scent spike again. He wouldn't waste the opportunity for petty words. He would take his fangs to the pulse of her neck and mark her so that way the bitch would have no misconceptions about leaving him again.

He had to dig his claws into the branch. His demon was bubbling to the surface again. He just couldn't accept that he would never see her again.

He leapt down and felt the ground beneath his feet. He ran quickly to the well.

He had to try it again. His heart was beating out of control. The well had to work.

He stared at down into the dark abyss. He held his breath and leapt down.

He braced himself. He knew he would feel the cold dirt, the feeling of rejection.

~.~

It had been a fairly long ride to their destination. They brought the car instead of riding the train, unsure if whatever was being donated would require the use of the back seat.

Jiro tried to make jokes and Kagome snickered at how bad they were. He couldn't help himself. When he was with her he was torn between teasing her and stumbling over his words. It was an upsetting combination.

“So, Jiro, did you always want to be a shrine caretaker?”

“No, not always. I grew up with so many brothers I was really unneeded back at home. I thought about going to university.”

“Really? What changed?”

“Well, there was an older woman who often came to the shrine. One day I was slacking off with my duties, being a real brat, and she just stared at me for the longest time. I asked her what her problem was, and she just laughed. She said she could tell that I didn't properly appreciate the history of the shrine, that because I grew up there that I took it for granted. She said that the shrine was a special place for her; she had met her husband there when they were in their youth. She came once a week to visit to pray and offer her respect. She really believed the Gods had brought her and her love together. Because she came so often we got to know each other well. She would lecture me about the healing powers of shrines, of ancient history. I would cause problem and annoy her. I really enjoyed those times.

Then suddenly she stopped coming.

It was about half a year before I saw her again. I ran into her at the market, and she looked like she had aged years since I last saw her. I greeted her in my normal, cheeky manner and she tried to manage a smile. I asked what happened to her, why she no longer came. She explained that her husband had passed, and she no longer had the will to make it there.

It was like a voice spoke to me. I told her she had to go to the shrine; I told her that if she went to the place they met, the holy ground, she would feel her love there. She was the one always preaching about its healing abilities.

So she came.

It was miraculous to watch. The breeze moved and I swear I felt the presence of someone. It washed over her, and she smiled. She looked me in the eye and told me `you were right.'

And little by little, her heart ache decreased. I realized then that the shrines were necessary; they are living history that can bring comfort to people in ways that any other profession cant. It needs to be respected and cared for. So, I gave up on my dream of university. It just didn't seem important anymore.”

“Hmm. I agree. I often find comfort in my shrine. It is comforting to know that things that existed 500 years ago are able to be preserved today. It make me feel connected to the past.”

Jiro nodded his head in understanding.

“What would you have gone to university for?”

“Medicine.”

“Ah, really! That's what I am aiming towards!”

He cracked a smile. “Really? Why medicine?”

“Well, honestly I had never considered it before, but Ive had a lot of practice in patching wounds and Im pretty good at it. I really enjoy healing people.”

He knit his brows together in confusion.

“What do you mean you've had practice? What have you been through little girl?

Kagome could feel herself sweating. She had unknowingly said too much.

“Oh, nothing. Normal things!

“What? Who even says that? `Normal things?' What does-“

“Oh look, were here Jiro.”

She praised the Gods that she could end the conversation by opening the car door. They walked up the steps to the house.

That's when she felt it

The pounding, the sensation. It was unmistakable.

There was a jewel shard here.