InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 12

Kagomes body jerked forward, then she came to an abrupt stop; she had thrown herself into Jiro's back. Her feet were frozen in place, a chill running down her back. The words sputtered out of her mouth-

“I feel-!

As if by memory, she reached behind her to grab her bow and quiver as she went to alert Inuyasha. She patted the air and found nothing. The words died in her throat.

`That's right. I'm in my time. I don't have my bow with me, I'm not behind Inuyasha's protective back… I'm behind Jiro… But I KNOW I felt the presence of a shard!'

Jiro turned his head and cocked his brow. “Huh? What on Earth are you doing? You feel something on your back?”

“Wha…What?”

“You look ridiculous! Your feeling around behind you like a crazy person.”

Kagome quickly tried to think of an excuse. It wasn't like she could say her automatic reaction was to knock an arrow when she felt the jewel. She couldn't tell Jiro that the unmistakable feeling of the sacred jewel shard had taken her directly back to the feudal era. She immediately felt a pang in her heart. `Iunyasha…'

“I uh, I have an itch. I just couldn't reach it.”

“Moron. You should have just said something.” Jiro pulled Kagome closer to his body and ran his long fingers down her back. He leaned his head in close to her before he lowered his voice to whisper in her ear.

“Whatever is being donated is supposedly a big deal. Try not to embarrass us today.”

“H-Hey! I don't-“

“Shh. Your already doing it; Don't raise our voice.” He removed his hand from her back. “Let's go.”

She coudn't help but worry her lip. Should she tell Jiro that she will go in alone? There was a real possibility of danger here. She had never encountered a person that simply had the jewel for good purposes. Even Kouga, her friend and ally, had onced used the shards to increase his speed, not caring who or what came in his path. `He did change though, after we got to know each other.' However, Kagome knew that if a kidnapping situation occurred like it did with Kouga, there would be no brave hanyou to rescue her. But more than that, she needed to protect Jiro. In her time, there were no demons. Jiro would have no idea what hes was getting himself into.

“Hey, Jiro, what if I go in by myself?”

“Huh? Whats with you? Why would you go by yourself?

“Well, its just that-“

“Is it that you think I am inadequate to do this task? That you're more qualified because it's your families shrine?” He sneered.

“NO! Its nothing like that! Its just that… that...”

“Spit it out woman.” He grunted out, crossing his arms. Kagome coudnt help but feel like this was déjà vu. Why was she always stuck with such pig headed men?

“I…just have a really bad feeling about this place.”

Jiro couldn't contain his laughter. “Pffft. And what would you do by yourself? If something were to happen, what exactly would you do?”

Jiro might not have Inuyasha's demon strength, his remarkable sword and his unwavering bravery, but… he was strong. Having no weapons, there best option was to go at it together. She felt her stomach drop. She had no idea what to expect. All she could do was place one foot in front of the other as she followed Jiros lead.

“Relax a little. You worry too much.” She heard him call over his shoulder.

If only he knew that walking towards a jewel shard was the same as walking to a battle field.

~.~

There were still no rumors of Naraku. In the past, the dog demon would have felt his skin crawl at the idea of wasting away a day, doing nothing other than gathering research, recuperating and eating Kaedes cooking. But now…

Now he hated to be separated from the well. It was as if the well became his roots, his anchor. He felt tied to it in a way that only he could understand. For the others, it was the means for Kagome to return to her home land, where she would come back with her monstrous yellow bag stuffed with goodies and remedies. For Inuyasha, it was the portal that separated him and the person he cherished most. It was the way to another time, a place where Kagomes scent hung heavy in the air. More importantly, the well still stood in her time. The dog demon wondered if Kagome ever sat at its base in her time, touching the rough wood, thinking about him.

No, probably not. Kagome loved her home. Inuyasha couldn't decide if he was more happy or upset in the knowledge that Kagome was probably faring well in her era.

Inuyasha now understood why it was taboo for demons to fall in love with humans. A demons life span trumps a humans by a multitude of centuries; a human has but a few short years. If anything had gone right in Inuyashas life, he would have mated with Kagome, and lived out the rest of her years. It would be like a blink of an eye for him, yet he would mourn her as long as he drew breath. Had that plan come to fruition, he would probably find a way to end his suffering. That's what most demons did if they chose the black path of a human mate.

This was how he knew for sure that he had never loved Kikyou in the same way. When she died, he mourned her passing, and he still mourned the unrest of her soul. But it was different; it was the pains of a friend, not of a lover. Kikyou had shot him into an enchanted sleep; when he woke, it was as if not a day had passed. And it had not taken him long at all to fall for Kagome. It was literally as if his soul woke up; it had found its other half- the reason it was created.

Although Inuyasha had failed to put his mark on the girl, Kagome was his. His demon blood recognized her as his mate. He had put his scent so strongly on her it repulsed other demons. She was HIS. The pain of losing his mate might have very well driven him to insanity, but one thought kept him going. He was a half demon, and he had an extended life span. 500 years separated the two, but he would wait. If he could find a way to cope for 500 years, he could be reunited with her and he wouldn't need a damn well.

He just had to stay alive until then. The first step was to defeat Naraku. He could only assure his safety once that bastard was out of the picture. After that… He wasn't sure how to proceed from there. He would have to be honest and tell Kikyou that he couldn't live the way she wished. He had done what he could to distance himself, but a piece of him could never leave her alone. She still had that haunting look of loneliness in his eyes that told him they were similar. In the past that was what drew them together, but now its what pushed them apart. The hanyou could already picture her reaction. He flattened his ears against his head. Although he may not be in love with her, he did not desire to hurt her. And if he was honest with himself… he feared her. He was reminded of her amazing power every time she knocked an arrow. Her purification abilities gave him shivers. And though in the past he had been her target, she always aimed it in a way that would only maim, never crucially injure.

If he was to tell her that he planned to spend his years waiting for her reincarnation… He had little doubt that she would react in a pleasant way.

Once he defeated Naraku, after he found a solution about Kikyou… he would ask Kaede to put him in an enchanted sleep. He chewed his lip and debated watching his friends live out their days. They would be short in comparison to his, but once they grew old and passed, he would be utterly alone. And he was too damned selfish to handle that right now.

He was hungry for this sleep. Each day he was parted from her, his demon threatened to over take him. His human begged to find solitude and sulk. He wanted to rip his hair from the roots and the overflow of emotions that bubbled inside of him. Damned woman, always complicating his life! Inuyasha smirked. She wouldn't be his Kagome if she wasn't doing crap like this. Making decisions on her own. Going in over her head Disregarding her own feelings to prioritize others. Honestly, she was such a fucking pain. He leaned his head back and closed her eyes, her mage burned in his brain. He couldn't help but smile. He wouldn't love her as much if she wasn't that way. He waited his entire life for happiness. He didn't mind waiting for that woman.

~.~

Her heart was beating at double speed, the hair on the back of her neck stood upright. She could feel a pull in her soul, calling to the object that she had been destiny bound to. The jewel was definitely here. She had to resist the urge to run to its location. She currently had to sit and sip tea, going over the niceties. Every second that passed, every polite comment that was muttered, her anxiety raised. Kagome felt herself clench her fists, her dainty nails squeezing so hard she was on her verge of drawing blood.

“Ah, so you must be curious what it is I have to give to you.” The woman said, finally getting to the point of the visit.

“Indeed ma'am, we are anxious with anticipation. You were quiet mysterious on the phone so we have a wide range of ideas as to what the item could be.” Jiro spoke with all the composure of a man confident in his ability to woo women.

The woman gave a coy smile. “Well, let me grab it then.”

It wasn't long before she came back with a large, over sized box. She placed it before Jiro and Kagome.

“This has been handed down in my family for many years. This is a bridal kimono has a legend behind it. According to legend, my ancestor wore this at her wedding to a very powerful demon. It became inevitable that the woman aged and grew sickly. The demon made a terrible deal, and in exchange, was given a charm to lengthen his beloved's life. While the demon tried his best to uphold his deal, his little wife's health prospered. However, the conditions of the bargain were not met, and the woman's illness came back with a vengeance, ultimately claiming her. He cherished her so, that even at her passing, he kept this kimono as a token of his love for her, as a permanent memory of his beloved.

And so, we have passed it down from woman to woman as an heirloom.”

Kagome was enthralled. This was probably more than a legend; this was a true, tragic love story. She bit her lip to stop the tears from pricking her eyes.

“That is indeed a fascinating story. Why is it you wish to donate it to us?”

“As I mentioned, the kimono I passed from woman to woman. All that is left in my family line is myself and my daughter. Unfortunately, she suffers from an illness. Besides, with its age and history, it should be displayed, not cooped up in my dusty attic!”

“Im sorry to hear about your daughter ma'am” Kagome offered.

“Ah, thank you. She truly is a remarkable child. Here,” the proud mother said, as she retrieved a picture from the table near by.

The girl was breath taking. In the photo she had recently graduated high school, and she wore a proud, well earned smile on her face.

“She is beautiful.” This made the mother smile.

“Indeed she is. And top of her class! My daughter always made me proud.” The smile faltered, ever so slightly.

There was a paused and the air felt heavy. Kagome knew that this meeting was drawing to a close.

“Excuse me, but could I perhaps use your restroom?” Kagome asked with a smile.

“Of course dear, its right down the hall.”

This was her chance. She had to find the shard, or at the very at least investigate. Would it be considered stealing it? In the past Inuyasha fought for them, wining it in combat. This is different; this was sneaking around and possibly snatching it. It felt entirely different.

The pull of the shard showed her the way. She walked down the corridor until she found the correct door. He put her hand against its wood and took a breath, trying to steal her nerves. She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a womans voice, full of venom. Whoever this woman was talking to, she was clearly displeased.

Kagome was shocked when the voice that answered was the same womans. She was talking to herself! Kagome cracked the door open.

The poor woman in front of her was in her early twenties. Her hair was matted, as if she hadn't bathed for weeks; her eyes looked wild, frantic. She shot back into the corner and began to rock on her heels. The crazed woman brought her scabbed fingers to her mouth. Kagome could tell that she had once had long, slender fingers on her dainty frail hand. She would have been proud of those hands.

Now they were raw from her gnawing on them.

This is what kind of illness the woman had. Kagome had assumed that she was physically ill, but this was all in her mind. She pitted her instantly. She was slightly afraid.

Yet fear had never stopped her before, not when it came to a shard. She entered the room and moved towards the girl. Kagomes steps were even and gentle. She did not want to threaten the creature.

The miko coulnt help the gasp that escaped her lips. The woman was wearing the shard as a necklace. It was so impure it was black. This woman had not gone insane from a genetic flaw or a tragic incident, it was the jewel she had around her neck that plunged her into madness. `I wonder, if I take it off will she…'

Kagome reached out slowly and the girl fliched. This was no good. She would have to purify the jewel first. Without thought or reservation, she brought the girl into her embrace, holding tightly as the wild woman resisted.

It was then that the mother had opened the door. It was then that the mother saw Kagome envelop her daughter in a pink light that was almost blinding. And just as suddnely as it started, it stopped. She withdrew from the girl and allowed herself to breathe. She reached out her hand and removed the necklace.

“What-What did you do to my daughter?” The mother asked; she couldn't stop trmebling. Her hand was covering her mouth as tears watered down her cheeks.

The crazed girl was wild no longer. She blinked her eyes several times, wrinkled her nose at the putrid smell of her own filth, ad cried out in a hoarse voice- “mama- mama!”

The mother pushed past Kagome and ran to her daughters side.

“What happened? Im so sleepy mama.”

“Shh, rest dear Every thing will be okay.” She helped her daughter to her bed and tucked her in before interrogating Kagome.

Kagomes eyelids felt heavy. It had been so long since she had to purify anything; she was out of practice.

“What did you do?!”

“Your daughter should be fine now. This-“ Kagome held up the shard, “is what drove her to this state. Really, she should be back to herself soon!” She tried to give her a reassuring smile. She was just so damned tired!

“That necklace? But how?”

“This is an incredibly dangerous, old jewel. If it is not kept pure by a miko, it has disastrous effects for humans. Had she had it on much longer, who knows what could have happened?”

“For humans? And you- you just purified it?” The mother was grasping at straws. Her head was spinning. These things were supposed to be legends!

“Where did you get this?”

The mother blushed.

“It was with the kimono, hidden in a pocket. My daughter, she wished to see the kimono as we were planning her wedding. It was after she handled the garment that her mood changed. I thought that the kimono was cursed, and that by sending it to a shrine, it could be dealt with there. That perhaps it would cure my daughter. I didn't know she kept the necklace.”

“Well, it was definitely this that changed her, not a dress. Your kimono seems fine. Do you want it back? It's a family heirloom after all.”

“No. Keep it at the shrine. I want nothing more to do with legends.”

Kagome nodded and made her leave to find her companion.

Jiro was seriously annoyed. Kagome had taken forever in the bathroom and made their host search for her. Damned disrespectful girl! He tried to mask his anger when the host and that troublesome brat of his made their way back. They both looked exhausted.

“You have my apologies, but I have some duties I must attend to. Would it be alright if we cut this visit short?”

“Of course! Thank you once again!” Jiro sputtered out. He was more than ready to go. He lifted the box and was about to express his gratitude once more, when he realized the woman was bowing deeply to Kagome.

“Thank you, my lady, for what you have done today. It will never be forgotten. I will pay tribute to your shrine as soon as my daughter regains some strength.”

“Don't mention it!” Kagome spat out quickly, her cheeks hot. On her best days she was embarrassed of her miko abilities. Purifying jewel shard was what came natural to her. The power she used had not been all that great. To be praised so highly, and in front of Jiro mad her fidget. “Really, it was nothing!”

“My daughter and I are forever indebted to you.”

“Bring her by the shrine when she feel well. I would love to meet her.” Kagome gave the mother a warm smile.

They gave their goodbyes and headed to the car. Jiro was jumping out of his skin with questions that he could only shout at her when they were in the privacy of the vechile. His mind was racing for answers.

While the only thought that played through Kagomes was, `What do I do with this?'