InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Adore ❯ The Imploding Voice ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: Damn! I think I'm getting the hang of long chapters. You're looking at thirteen pages for your reading pleasure! Yes, I've decided to make this fic a series of Smashing Pumpkin songfics, so if you don't like me incorporating the lyrics in this, tough! Enjoy.

 

~song lyrics~

 

Disclaimer: Nope. Not mine.

 

The Imploding Voice

 

By Kenkaya

 

 

A bone chilling scream echoed through the woodland. Birds screeched, aroused from their nightly rest. Kagura shot up from her makeshift bed of leaves, panting in a cold sweat. Her camp fire had burned to embers, bathing the clearing in shadows. She shivered.

 

Kagura had been wandering aimlessly for five months, ever since Naraku's death. Ever since she received her heart. Every night, she camped in the woods. Every night she prayed her exhaustion would keep the nightmares at bay for another hour. It seemed sometimes she never got a full rest; the dreams were worsening.

 

Kagura curled into a fetal position on the ground, shielding herself from the memories. She no longer was naïve enough to believe she would fall back asleep. She watched the breaking of dawn, the sunrise, and pondered her situation. When she still served Naraku, she had nightmares, yes, but not ones nearly vivid enough to disturb her rest. He would have slapped her silent if she ever woke up screaming in the middle of the night. She sighed in frustration. The sky turned a pink-hued blue and Kagura rose. She cleaned up camp, grabbed her few belongings, and continued her journey.

 

~Everywhere you are

 

Is everywhere you've been

 

Just lost to the beat

 

Punching through your skin~

 

Kagura's sandaled feet shuffled across the dusty road. Aside from now owning her own heart, Kagura had changed her appearance drastically. Her silk kimono had been sold at a village not long after the battle. Despite its spoiled condition, the villagers still accepted the cloth, not being close enough to the main roads to receive such fabric often. Her jade earrings fetched a much higher price. Kagura exchanged these items for a plain, cotton forest green yukata. She fastened the garment with a red obi, tied in a simple knot where she could discreetly tuck her fan. She also purchased flint stones, a spare yukata of a moss hue, and a small sack to carry them in. Her hair had been released from its former side bun and tied at the nape of her neck with a strip of cloth. Her feathers stuck out at odd ends through the crude ribbon. The only mark left that connected her to Naraku and her former self was the spider scar still etched across her back.

 

Noise reached her pointed ears as the morning sun rose higher. A few minutes later, Kagura deduced that it was a group of men with a cart. Before she knew it, Kagura had her fan in her hands. They were trembling.

 

Human figures appeared on the road ahead of her. Kagura steeled herself, clutching the fan, her only weapon, in a death grip. Knuckles burned white, but in her concentrated panic, she didn't notice the tell-tale pain. Laughter rang through her ears and her youkai eyes began to distinguish the features on their faces. She quickly scanned the heads for a body count. Twelve men. More laughter.

 

Naraku laughed as he leered over her. He laughed at her eyes, wide with fright. He laughed at her mouth, cursing him. But most of all, he laughed because she was powerless and she knew it. He knew she did.

 

Kagura gasped. Resolve gone, she darted for the cover of the trees. She crouched in the bushes, shaking, letting silent tears drip to the ground as the men passed. She curled into a ball, hugging her fan like a lifeline. Her weapon. Their carefree laughter pierced her, taunted her. She bit her tongue to hold back a strangled sob. Why wouldn't Naraku die?

 

~You don't know what to do

 

But still you want to crawl

 

All through the broken glass

 

That's everywhere you are~

 

She waited until the men were a good distance. Waited until she could no longer hear their laughter. When the coast was clear, she crawled out of her hiding place and, after dusting off her yukata, continued on her way.

 

The sun crested and dipped into afternoon. Kagura heard sounds of human activity. She was approaching a settlement. When it finally came into view, Kagura realized it was an army camp. Filled with men. Kagura unconsciously slipped her fan out again. There was no escaping this one. She walked past the camp; slow and steady, plopping one foot in front of the other, one breath at a time. Her hand twitched, ready to flip open her fan. Her feet itched, braced to bolt at the slightest movement.

 

“Hey there, gorgeous,” one of the men called. Another whistled appreciatively. Kagura felt sweat break out over her skin, sheathing her body in a moist sheen.

 

“Kagura?”

 

Kagura looked up into the forlorn gaze of Kikyou as she rose from her patient. Kagura stepped back, eyes darting. Those eyes--- the memory, the pain.

 

Oh, God. She couldn't do this.

 

Kikyou moved toward her as Kagura hurriedly reached for a feather with trembling fingers. She yanked out a few black strands with the object in her hast. She jumped onto the enchanted feather as the winds carried it away. Kikyou ran after her, calling her name. Kagura didn't look back.

 

Kagura sighed as the breeze pulled her bangs back, played with her ponytail. The clouds floated lazily above her. She soared above the earth. Free. Unrestrained. Even now, the sky was her inspiration.

 

The sky faded to twilight and Kagura landed back on the barren road. After a couple miles, she found a reasonable clearing and set up camp. With her wind blades, she made short work of a decent sized bird and started a fire with a spit. The evening wore on and Kagura settled to a decent meal. When she was done, she threw the remains into the fire, gathering leaves and loose grass into a makeshift bed. The ordeal earlier left her mentally drained. Perhaps she would sleep through the night. Kagura snorted. That was only wishful thinking.

 

The sound of galloping horse hooves aroused Kagura from her half-sleep state. She briefly wondered what a traveler was doing on the road so late, and placed her arm within easy reach of her fan. The horse and its rider broke through the clearing. Kagura's red eyes widened.

 

“I was hoping you would stick to this road,” Kikyou said in her calm way.

 

“Wha--- what do you want,” Kagura gasped. She suddenly found it increasingly difficult to breath. Kikyou watched her with those blue-grey eyes. Pitiful eyes. Just like when---

 

“Stop--- stop looking at me like that,” Kagura begged.

 

“Like what?” the undead priestess cocked her head quizzically.

 

“Just--- like--- don't look at me with those eyes. I don't want pity. I don't want to remember. Please.”

 

Kikyou nodded as she dismounted, “I understand. It seems you have discovered the double-edged sword a heart can be.”

 

“What would you know about having a heart?!” Kagura spat defensively.

 

“I have asked myself that very question many times these past months, and I am ashamed of the answers I find. My incarnate has succeeded where I can only fail. That is what I know of the heart.”

 

Kagura returned the priestess steady gaze, shocked out of her inner turmoil by words she never thought would leave the undead woman's lips.

 

“What? What happened?” Kagura sputtered.

 

A ghost of a smile fluttered across Kikyou's cold features, “I had a little run in with Inuyasha and his woman, not long after Naraku was defeated,” she began. “He was injured quite seriously. She was caring for him when I stumbled across them.”

 

~Your love must always be true

 

Your love must always be you~

 

Kikyou strolled through the hut entrance confidently. Kaede was gone, the kit with her, and the exterminator had gone her separate way with the monk the other day. The only one who lay between her and her goal was her foolish incarnate. The girl named Kagome knelt by the hanyou's side, dabbing a wet cloth against his forehead. The unconscious half-youkai seemed strangely at peace. Kikyou brushed it aside.

 

“You know why I'm here.”

 

Kagome didn't turn to acknowledge her, nor register surprise. So the little wench had sensed she was there? Kikyou made a mental note not to underestimate the girl's power, even if she had next to no training.

 

“Yes.”

 

Kikyou started at the girl's sudden admission. She narrowed her eyes in self-disapproval and steeled her expression. This child would not get the best of her.

 

“Then move aside.”

 

Kagome shook her raven locks and turned to stare Kikyou in the eye. The pre-incarnate nearly stepped back at the blind devotion and self-sacrifice shining in those grey eyes, more blue than her own. Again she composed herself. Fists clenched determinately at her side.

 

“Move, child. Inuyasha's life is mine to forfeit. It has been mine for over fifty years. You have no claim on him.”

 

Again Kagome shook her head, “I will not leave him as long as he needs me.”

 

“He does not need you. I will care for him. I have much more experience than you in these matters. He has promised his soul to me and I have come to collect.”

 

Kagome's eyes flicked to Inuyasha's prone form with a gaze so openly affectionate, Kikyou was again at a loss. The girl was an open book. If her body language meant anything, Kikyou's reincarnation had fallen in love with Inuyasha as well. And if Kikyou knew anything about love, this girl would not give up without a fight. The walking-dead priestess prepared to battle for the love denied her fifty years ago.

 

“If that is what he desires. I hope he finds the happiness he never had before with you, Kikyou.”

 

Kikyou was stunned speechless as Kagome began to rise from her position beside Inuyasha. Wasn't the girl going to fight for what was hers? Oh, well this made things much easier. She certainly didn't expect Inuyasha's arm to dart out and grab the hem of Kagome's short, green skirt as she stirred, golden eyes glazed and half open.

 

“Don't go--- K'gome,” he muttered almost desperately before falling back against the crude mattress of straw, oblivious to the world. Kagome forced her weight back on her knees and continued her gentle ministrations.

 

“I said move, girl!” Kikyou hissed.

 

“And I said I would not leave as long as he needs me,” Kagome replied, not intimidated in the slightest. Kikyou fumed.

 

“He doesn't need you! The only reason he calls for you is because he sees me in you! He has always seen me!”

 

“I might have believed that a few months ago, Kikyou. I might have believed it now, if he didn't call my name,” Kagome responded with a sad smile to Kikyou. “If he calls for you, I will send him to you without regret, and only then.”

 

“You love him don't you? You truly are pathetic, incarnate, if you would give up your heart so easily. I would have never let him go.”

 

“You're such a sad person, Kikyou. Inuyasha was sad once too. My only wish is to see the sorrow gone from his eyes. He deserves it. No matter how much I love him, I would never force him to stay with me because his unshed tears would kill me. You understand, ne? Of course you do. You love him too.”

 

“I---“ Kikyou was stuck dumb. She didn't know how to respond. All she knew is that she was drawn to this girl's--- warmth, there was no other term for it. This girl, who continued to care for Inuyasha's wounds while she poured out her feelings for him and prepared to let him go for his--- happiness? Yes, she loved Inuyasha; she wanted to be happy with him. He would be happy if she was, right? Of course, he loved her too.

 

“He will be happy with me,” Kikyou responded, but with less resolve. Why did this girl make her doubt?

 

“I hope so,” Kagome smiled brightly. Kikyou turned toward her, noticing something for the first time.

 

“Where is the Shikon no Tama? I do not sense its aura.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome bowed her head. “It disappeared.”

 

“Disappeared?”

 

“Yes, after the battle with Naraku. It floated above the battle field and when Naraku fell, it started to drift down to me. When the jewel touched my skin, there was a bright flash of white light and when I opened my eyes the Shikon was just--- gone. Like it never existed.”

 

“It must have granted a wish, that is the only explanation I can think of,” Kikyou pondered. A knowing smile caused her lips to twitch. “See? You could not live your life with Inuyasha anyway. The Shikon jewel no longer exists to turn him into a human. He will be happier with me,” she said more confidently.

 

“I don't care about that.”

 

Kikyou arched an eyebrow, “then your love really is childish.”

 

“Is it so childish to just love someone?”

 

Again, Kikyou's mask fell.

 

“Consider this, Kikyou, how happy would Inuyasha be as a human?”

 

“What do you know, girl? He would be much happier, he would be accepted. That's why he agreed to it in the first place.”

 

“He agreed because he was lonely and hoped he found a cure. He loved you. And I don't think he would have been truly accepted. It's hard for the villagers to trust him now, after all the good he's done for them. Tolerance is the most he can expect from them. Human, youkai, or hanyou; he is still Inuyasha. Nothing would change. I've seen him when he's human, he has black hair, violet eyes, and normal ears with no claws or fangs; but he's still Inuyasha. It doesn't take much imagination to see what he once was. They would know him and hate him just as much for what he once was,” Kagome reached down to brush her fingers through unruly, white bangs. A solitary tear slid down her cheek. “Why are people so fickle? So much pain, I don't blame him for hating humans. I don't blame him for hating when he becomes one. Did you know that, Kikyou? He hates it when he becomes human. It scares him, as if the self-centered jerk would admit it.”

 

Kikyou could only stare after the light-hearted insult. This girl, her reincarnation, was crying for him. Kikyou felt the raw emotion, the honest love radiating off Kagome in waves, and she ached for it. She longed to fill the void long established in her heart. Inuyasha had lessened the pain, but he could not eradicate it. Kikyou thought that if she were able to live an unburdened life, if she could be with him forever it would go away. But for some reason, she needed what Kagome had to offer and deep down inside, she knew it was what she had been looking for in Inuyasha. She stared at Inuyasha's inhuman body. Kagome's words repeated in her head like a broken tape-recorder. They were overlapped by every insight into Inuyasha's life she ever heard, some his words, some not. Realization crept over her and set her soul free. She smiled one of her calm, kind smiles at Inuyasha and voiced her answer.

 

“He's too much like me.”

 

Kagome stared at the priestess quizzically and Kikyou turned her smile to the young girl. She felt more alive then she ever had, in life or death.

 

“When Inuyasha awakes, tell him he was the best friend I ever had. I wish him the happiness he gave me and more.”

 

Kagome watched mutely as Kikyou spun around and walked out of their lives.

 

“And one more thing,” Kikyou called back to Kagome. “Never leave him. His heart needs yours as much as mine does.”

 

~Everywhere you go

 

Anywhere you go

 

Even if you're starved

 

It matters what you do

 

But even if you've gone to far

 

You can follow you~

 

Kagura gaped as Kikyou finished her tale. The undead priestess shifted her weight as she sat by the fire, staring into the flickering depths. Kagura shut her jaws and remembered that fateful day five months ago.

 

“I know how you feel.”

 

“Excuse me?” Kikyou questioned.

 

“After--- `he' fell, I saw them. That girl, she looks straight into your soul. And Inuyasha held up her tired body. It was so tender, so brutally honest.”

 

“That is the only love she can offer,” Kikyou agreed. “I could only give kindness and sympathy. She gives that and so much more. That is why she truly holds his heart, I could not have possible melted another's heart if I could not melt my own. In a strange way, I'm glad Naraku deceived us. Yes, it was painful, but Inuyasha would not have found her otherwise. Us, we were too alike in our sorrow, a romance would have destroyed us in the end with frustration. Neither of us would have been happy. I still love him, but it's different,” at this she chuckled good naturedly. “Perhaps my incarnate has learned from my mistakes. I can go peacefully now. I just have one more duty. And one regret.”

 

“Oh?” Kagura inquired. Despite the zombie-woman's confession, Kagura still held some deep rooted resentment for Kikyou. Her skin tingled with the sensation of Naraku's hands. Hands that used her instead of Kikyou.

 

“My duty to Inuyasha and his young woman is done. Naraku is dead. The only thing that holds me here is you.”

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes,” Kikyou nodded sagely. “I saw you. You didn't have your heart yet, and he still made you cry. You were so broken, like a cornered animal. Even for a sadistic bastard like him, that was unforgivable. You deserved the final blow. And I come to make peace. That is my final duty.”

 

“What peace could you give possibly give me?! Naraku was a bastard. I don't need to remember that and I don't want to! Make you peace by leaving!” Kagura spat.

 

“I understand your pain.”

 

“No you don't!”

 

~Everywhere you are

 

And in your mind

 

You were alone

 

All this time~

 

“Pain comes in many forms,” Kikyou sighed. “It doesn't make it hurt any less.”

 

Kagura turned away, unable to say anything in defense. Bitterness rose in her like bile, burning her tongue. She pitied Kikyou, Hell, she even sympathized with her, and she knew Kikyou was not to blame for Naraku's actions. She could see the guilt in her words. Why was it so hard to forgive?

 

“I do not expect you to forgive me,” Kagura's head jerked at the sudden insight. “I never did.”

 

“You're right, Kikyou, I don't forgive you,” Kagura began slowly. “But I do understand.”

 

“That is the first step,” the priestess nodded. “In truth, that is all I allowed myself to hope for. I did not come for forgiveness, I came for peace.”

 

“I see,” Kagura stared up into the starry night, lit by the waning moon. “Where will you go now, if all your purpose is gone?”

 

“I still have purpose. My purpose is atonement. I stopped feeding off souls a while ago. This clay body is wasting away without them and I only hope to heal as much as I can before that happens. I was on my way anyway when you appeared. I will follow this road until the next town and continue my penance until my time on this plain is ended. Then I will continue my purpose in Hell. That is all I live for now. Purpose is all we ever live for. Purpose and companionship.”

 

“What if you have neither?” Kagura gulped uncertainly. “What is your purpose then?”

 

Kikyou smiled knowingly, “then your purpose is to find it. Isn't that what you are attempting now with your travels?”

 

“I suppose so,” Kagura shrugged, lowering her gaze from the sky. “I'm not really sure what I'm looking for.”

 

“That is the point of looking.”

 

“It's late,” Kagura stated. “I--- I don't mind if you rest here for the night.”

 

“I am honored by your courtesy.”

 

Kagura merely nestled back into her bed and shut her ruby eyes to the clay woman.

 

~With everything you were

 

And every smile you wore

 

Still locked in your heart

 

Everywhere you are~

 

Kagura didn't wake up screaming this time. She bolted up in a cold sweat; taking deep breaths to remind herself that Naraku was not suckling her exposed neck anymore. She felt traces of dry salt on her cheeks; she had been crying in her sleep again. Kagura shuttered and saw Kikyou sleeping lightly against a tree across from her. She stared at the priestess as the woman's breathe deepened. A sting of jealousy hit Kagura. Even after Naraku's deceit, Kikyou could still sleep.

 

A light moan startled Kagura and it took her a few minutes to realize the sound had issued from the priestess' lips. A small twitch spasmed the muscles of her face before she relaxed again, seemingly content. The small display made Kagura wonder; just what did the undead woman dream?

 

She remembered standing in Naraku's chambers. The unnatural hanyou was not extremely vocal, preferring the silence to scheme, however, he did brag on occasion; mostly to boost reputation and fear. Kikyou and Inuyasha seemed to frequent his boasts, especially Kikyou. Kagura mentally snorted, probably some twisted reassurance to the outside world that he held none of Onigumo's inhibitions. How ironic.

 

From what Kagura gathered, Kikyou had been a pure woman. She dedicated her life to the art of her trade. She was compassionate by nature but not by purpose. Her purpose was to fight youkai, and afterwards, defend the Shikon no Tama. She blocked out all emotion, all human weakness, to make herself an almost unbeatable warrior. Her walls were carefully constructed in the mask she wore everyday to face the world. She was untouchable. It all crumbed for one hanyou, who bought out all the desires boiling beneath the surface. Kikyou's words repeated themselves in her head.

 

“Us, we were too alike in our sorrow, a romance would have destroyed us in the end with frustration. Neither of us would have been happy. I still love him, but it's different.”

 

Yes, Kikyou had pushed away youkai because of her purpose; she pushed away her own kind for strength. But she remembered Kagome, who fought with her emotions, who used them to bring her a different strength. Kagura had watched the young girl laugh with the exterminator, tease the monk, hold the youkai child, and pine over the hanyou. She didn't protect her travel companions because of purpose; she did it because she loved them. Kagura examined Kikyou's face once more, so alike and yet so different. Kikyou may have had silent strength, but she did not have the passion her reincarnation did; the drive that lead Kagome to lengths only accomplished by selfless desperation.

 

~Everywhere you are

 

Every single chard~

 

“Sango-chan!”

 

Kagura watched from the sidelines as Naraku sent Kohaku ahead. The young boy's chained scythe arched smoothly through the air, biting deep into his sister's skin. The exterminator clutched at the bleeding wound, eyes wide with more emotions than Kagura could count. At the fore was pain. Unbelievable pain.

 

“Sango-chan,” Kagome called again, arrow notched in her bow.

 

“No,” the exterminator replied softly in an obviously suppressed voice, pushing away the monk who ran forward to help her. “I need to handle him on my own.”

 

“I see.”

 

Naraku chuckled, erasing any perceptions of good nature associated with the action. Kagura almost shuddered at the memory his laughter ignited. Before anyone could react, a single brown tentacle shot forward, impaling the dog-eared hanyou's right shoulder.

 

“INUYASHA!”

 

The brown limb exploded. An arrow landed in the ground with a slight aura of pink glowing around the shaft. Kagura looked to see Kagome standing in front of Inuyasha, another arrow notched. Anger, determination and worry shone in her blue-grey orbs.

 

“Naraku! I won't let you touch him!” her tone hinted no argument. “You won't touch him!”

 

“Kagome!”

 

Another tentacle stabbed forward, aimed at her breast. She shot her arrow. Missed.

 

“Kagome!” Inuyasha sprung from the ground and shoved her down. Without a second thought, she fisted her hands in his red haori and pulled him down with her. The projectile clipped over his silver hair. She gasped as his weight sprawled over her.

 

“Stupid girl!” Inuyasha exclaimed as he lifted himself.

 

“How dare you attack my woman!” Kouga screamed. He ran forward and aimed a flying kick at Naraku, missing how Inuyasha gently pulled Kagome up from the ground. Not pausing to catch her breath, she readied an arrow. Her face was scrunched in even more determination. Determination to make sure her words rung true.

 

Her eyes said it all. She would not let Naraku touch Inuyasha again.

 

~Everywhere you are

 

You're never too far

 

Cause anywhere you'd go

 

Even to the stars

 

All you have to do

 

Is play the part of who you are

 

The rest is up to you~

 

“Kagura?”

 

Kagura snapped out of her thoughts, pushing the memory away. The sky was dimly lit and last night's fire had died. Kikyou's grey, blue tinged eyes pierced her with a solemn gaze.

 

“What?” Kagura snorted to cover her surprise.

 

“Nothing, I wasn't expecting you to be awake this early.”

 

“Why not? I'm a youkai; we don't need as much sleep.”

 

“We were up late. Even youkai need rest.”

 

“I've had enough, thank you very much. I would appreciate it if we didn't discuss my sleeping habits. It's not your concern,” Kagura sniped. She stood, straightened herself somewhat, cleaned up camp, and hoisted the small sack with her belongings over her shoulders. “If you want to accompany me on the road, I can't stop you. I'm warning you though; I'm not stopping at the next town. I prefer the woods to spend my nights in. You'll be on your own.”

 

“I've been on my own for a while.”

 

Kagura nodded her assent and stepped onto the road.

 

~Phase unwound

 

By yourself

 

Atom bomb

 

On the shelf unsung

 

Pause of light

 

Pulse of life

 

New face dawns~

 

They walked in companionable silence, Kikyou leading her horse on foot. Kagura looked to the sky for strength from the memories that threatened to batter her conscious. She sighed. She really needed a distraction. Redirecting her thoughts, she found herself pondering the woman beside her and her incarnate.

 

“What is it about that girl?”

 

“My reincarnation?”

 

Kagura jumped, “I said that out loud?”

 

“Yes,” Kikyou affirmed.

 

“That's strange; usually I keep my thoughts to myself. You get a lot of practice with--- him.”

 

“I'm not surprised. I assume I was correct as to who you were referring to?”

 

“Yes,” Kagura hesitated. She had never confiding in anyone before, least of all someone she had issues with. But she had questions and Kikyou knew the answers. At least it would distract her from thoughts of him. “I was just wondering, you were supposed to be strong, but Naraku said it was your emotions that brought about your downfall. How can what destroyed you make her so much more powerful?”

 

“That's simple,” Kikyou responded. “We had different bases for our spiritual foundations. I aspired to be more than human, so I based my foundations on strength, fortitude, and detachment. When I strayed from these virtues, I crumbled. Kagome, she tries to be a better human. True her power has it's weaknesses as well, such power is slightly erratic and easily swayed, but she has a firm ground in the companions she cares for. Her strength feeds off her will and passion to defend them, no matter the cost. It is a matter of which method you chose. When dealing with Naraku's treachery, it appears I did not choose the smartest route.”

 

Kagura nodded and digested this new information.

 

~Everywhere you are

 

And everywhere you go

 

Even if you're down

 

Even if you're low

 

It's in the thought of you

 

It's in the eyes of all

 

Astride a storied past

 

That's everywhere you are~

 

The next town peaked on the horizon around midday. Both Kikyou and Kagura plodded on without words. They didn't need any. People became visible as they bustled along with their daily duties, among them, several men. Kagura felt the familiar fear peak again and clamped down on her panic before it could rise. Her feet felt so heavy.

 

“This is where I take my leave. I wish you well,” Kikyou said and they parted. Kagura watched her back for a moment, long black hair sweeping back and forth in a hanging ponytail. Finally, Kagura turned and continued around the town.

 

~Your love must always be true

 

Your love must always be you~

 

The blue of the sky deepened as Kagura walked alone with her thoughts. Kikyou had given her a lot to think about. Who would have thought the vengeful, undead priestess could change so much?

 

The wind howled unnaturally in her ears. Brow creased, she turned around when a familiar scent assaulted her nostrils. A scent that haunted her worse nightmares. She was rooted to the spot by fear. Her fist clenched as her body trembled. Sweat beaded on her milky skin.

 

A whirlwind appeared on the road, heading straight for her. It broke, its occupant sliding to a stop in the dust right in front of her. She remembered him, that long black hair, that cocky smile. But most of all she remembered his eyes. Such piercing blue eyes.

 

Kouga looked her in the eye, his expression a mixture of anger and shock.

 

~Everywhere you are

 

Anywhere you go

 

Even if you're scared

 

It's all a part of you

 

But ever should you put it down

 

You could never lose me

 

Everywhere you are~