InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 15

A/N: I just wanted to thank all of my readers and reviewers! It still amazes me that anyone wants to read the nonsense that I write, I'm definitely honored! Every time I hear your wonderful feedback I feel so encouraged! The reviews motivate me to keep the chapters going!

“What is this around your neck, Inuyasha?” She repeated, her stern tone leaving no room for arguments. The hanyou gulped back a nervous retort.

“Its uh… its mine…” He shrank back as she fingered the chain, rubbing the metal between her fingers. Her eyes narrowed as she inspected the gold and silver links. This was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

“This does not belong to you.”

“You're wrong. It does.” He snapped back, immediately defensive. This was his treasure- That his Kagome had given to him. It had belonged to her father, and held importance in her life, and she had chosen to gift it to him. When she had removed the rosary, he had missed the weight, but found solace in that chain. It meant so much more. This was placed on him out of her love and respect, and he had accepted it. The rosary he had grown to like. It was a tie to her, but one that he had not consented to. The beads had been fashioned by Kikyou, but the chain was purely hers alone. He liked that. He liked the way the smooth metal rested on his chest. It was the last physical evidence of her… and it was his alone. He had wanted to keep it a secret. Even in something as small as a chain he didn't want to share her. He grabbed the mikos wrist, demanding she release her grip.

“Did she give this to you? Does it hold such importance in your heart?” She tried to plead with him, her brown eyes widening for effect. Tears began to pool. Kikyou wanted him to see, wanted him to feel the pain that he was inflicting on her! Damn Inuyasha!

“Kikyou… You know that I-UGH.” He felt her pound her small fists into his chest. His words were cut off by the groan he couldn't suppress. He might heal differently from weak humans, but a surprise attack on his already broken ribs didn't exactly feel pleasant.

“Why can you not let that damned girl go Inuyasha! What is it she has that I can not give you? Wht has she done to bind you to her so?”

“Ki-Kikyou…”

“I gave you my heart Inuyasha, so much so that I followed you in death. Why is that not enough? When you would not join me, I thought to follow you in life, and you still will not have me! Have you no desire for me? Do you not see me as a woman?” Kikyou lowered her head as she openly sobbed, softy resuming the attack on his chest. It had no weight behind it; the frail woman did not have the strength.

The dog demon simply sat there, in a state of shock. The woman in his arms had never been so open, so vulnerable as she was right now. He had fully intended to tell her that they would have to go their separate ways, or remain as friends… but now…

What could he say to her now?

~.~

Going back through the well had not been as hard as she had thought. True, it had been difficult saying good bye to Shippo, but it was easier knowing she would be back in a few days time. In all honesty, she was excited. Even if it was short lived, she was going to go back!

Her mind began to race. She would have to make preparations. She wanted to fill a bag with as many supplies as her body could physical carry. She wanted to treat her friends to a meal from her time, letting their tongues indulge in future delicacies. She wanted to bring so much pocky for Shippo he would get a cavity.

For Sango she wanted to stock her up with feminie products, her bath soap that she was particularly fond of, small cosmetics and brushes. All the things that they had been able to share… when they had the pleasure of sharing their lives.

She knew Miroku would want some things as well. She didn't mind shopping for mens products. After all this time she was used to it. At first she had blushed profoundly when she wandered down the men department. Today when she went shopping she would strut there with pride. She could provide for her friends once more. She could be needed by them once again. That alone was enough to make her happy.

And she had one special trip to make for her loveable kit. He had been so adamant about taking a piece of her clothing, so that he could smell her scent that she couldn't help but rip off a piece of her skirt. She knew as a demon, and as a fox especially, scent was an important matter for him. It comforted and calmed him, just as it had the ability to make him tense and frightful. In the dark days and cold nights, he had turned to her for the reassuring fragrance of safety and love. And she had to selfishly take it with her when she left.

It took some brainstorming, but she had finally come up with an idea. She wasn't sure if it would work just as she hoped, but it was worth the try. Worst case the fox gained a new toy. She was so giddy with anticipation she was glowing.

“What's with you?” Jiro asked, an amused smile hanging on his lips.

“Eh?”

“I said, `what's with you'?”

“I'm not sure what you mean!” Kagome smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with merriment.

“I mean that! You've been walking around for the last few days so damned happy!”

“Is that a bad thing?” She asked, her tone questioning.

“Did I say that?”

“You implied it.”

“Did not.”

“Did.”

“Did no- What I'm asking you is, why are you in such a good mood? Did something happen? You usually don't act like such a school girl.”

“Then maybe you don't know me as well as you thought.” She laughed, throwing a wink in his direction. She turned her back and made her way to the stairs.

“Eh?” He grabbed her by the arm ad spun her around. Kagomes eyes widened in confusion. She felt her cheeks pink when he leaned in close, drawing his forehead against his.

“Uh..uh Ji-Jiro…”

“It doesn't seem like you have a fever.” He stated, letting her arm go and leaning away.

“What?”

“You're acting strange. I was worried you had a fever.” Kagome pushed against his chest.

“I told you already I'm fine! I'm not acting strange so just drop it!” The girl huffed. She began to storm down the steps in a fury. Damn that Jiro for ruining her good mood!

“You seem to be back to normal now!” He called after her, as he watched her retreating figure.

He ran his hands through his thick black hair. `Damn, she looks good when she's feisty.'

~.~

Sango and Miroku had left the pair alone, reluctant to give them their space, both out of safety and their own interest. But the scene had become overbearingly tense, and it was almost too much to handle. Did Kikyou have no shame to put on such a display in front of them?

“I just can't stand that woman Miroku! I swear she did that on purpose!”

“Now Sango, wheter that is true or not, it is not up to us to decide. Inuyasha must do what he feels is best.”

“So he should forget about Kagome?” The slayer fumed.

“That is not what I'm saying at all. I think that it would do him severe damage if he were to forget about Kagome. He loves her, after all. Its his own fault for being too stubborn and blind to confess it to her properly when he had the chance. And as much as it pains me, our friend is gone. Should he sit and mourn his loss for the rest of his days, or should be try and build something from the ashes of this tragic situation?”

“Its not as if I want Inuyasha to suffer. Gods knows that he drove Kagome away. He never did anything to let her know that she was anything more than Kikyous replacement. But, I cant stomach the thought of them together. After all Kagome did-

“Yes, my dear Sango, after all she did, would it not be a waste of her sacrifice to refuse them both happiness? I myself am not sure if Inuyasha will find it in Kikyou, but don't they owe it to Kagome to try?”

“This is not how it should be…” Sango covered her face with her hands as she felt her tears pile up. Miroku drew his arms around her to hold her close.

“I know. Things seldom are. Do not fret over Inuyashas love of Kagome. That will never go away, never weaken. I think if he was honest with himself, he would be using Kikyou as a replacement for Kagome.”

“I just wish that woman had never-“

“There is no use thinking about the possibilities of `had never'. We could spin a tale for every misfortune we have endured and come across. All we can do is live in the present and figure things from here. And in our hearts, we can hold onto those we have lost and honor them by moving forward.”

The slayer clung to monk, letting the words wash over her. She felt her heart rate slow to its normal pace, and her grip on his robes tightened. She needed this contact, needed to feel his body close to hers.

“Thank you, Miroku.” She leaned into his chest and allowed herself to close her eyes, breathe in his strong, masculine scent. She loved this man. He had a way with words, and could charm any woman he came across, and often did; but it was always she who he came back to. She had noticed that in their recent months, he had not gone off like he had in their earlier travels. The monk was a flirt by nature, but if she seriously thought about it, he had not done more than give lip service. Perhaps… perhaps he could change.

“It is my pleasure, my beloved San-“

Unfortunately for the monk, his wandering palms could not help themselves as they traveled lower. Sango's eyes shot open as she felt the all too familiar feeling of a lecherous monk squeezing her bottom.

“You pervert!” She screamed as she stormed off.

“I'm sorry Sango! It's the hand! It's cursed! I was reading too much into the atmosphere! Sango!” He began the chase of making amends to a very pissed off woman.

~.~

She held onto him, as he had always wanted to. She breathed him in, wishing she had his senses and could procure more from his scent than merely is arousing smell. She wanted all of him. She wanted to take him in every sense of the word. She wanted him to be the loyal dog he had been. The miko had half a mind to fashion him a collar.

And now, she felt for the first time since she sent that damned reincarnation away, that she had a chance. She knew it was a cheap shot, to use tears to throw him off balance; to use the words that she had spoken many years ago to jog a memory of a time when he had needed her. She was more than aware that she had not played fair.

But that didn't matter.

Since when had anyone played fair with her? When had the Gods, life, luck, anything! Been fair for the protector of the Shikon. Kikyou knew that if she wanted results, she would have to twist things. She was tired of waiting. Tired of seeing her lover sulk over another woman. It had been difficult enough that her rosary was on him, commanded by that whore… but it gave her a satisfaction that the binding had been made by her hands. But this chain was just a collar left behind. She would have none of that. Inuyasha was hers.

That damned girl left and he still waited obediently for her. He thought she was unaware of his attempts to break through the well, to see his beloved, even if just once more.

It made her cringe. Made her rage!

Yet if she showed any of that, Inuyasha would back up like a frightened cat. She had been hesitant to pull this display, knowing it could go one of two ways. Either he would feel so backed into a wall he would tell her to go to Hell, and leave him alone. Or, he would feel pity, and finally bend to her wishes.

Once, it wouldn't have taken all this work, overthinking, planning. But that girl had left a mark on him that he couldn't seem to break.

So she resorted to tears and doe eyes.

She could hear his breathing, unsteady and nervous. She could feel his heart beating wildly out of his chest. But most importantly, she could sense his aura, heavy with grief and sadness. Who was he mourning? Who would he give up?

A clawed hand shakily reached out to stroke her fine black hair. She tensed at the unexpected touch. Inuyashas voice was low, full of sadness.

“Kikyou… I can't forget about her. I never will be able to…”

The mikos ears felt as if they were on fire. She could feel her energy flare. It was only the words, spoken so low that she strained to hear them that saved her from oblivion.

“But… I can try, for your sake.”