InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ After the Storm ❯ Listen to Your Heart ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9

 

 

"Inuyasha! What the hell did you say to her?!"

 

"I didn't say shit to her!"

 

Inuyasha and Sango were having…erm…a discussion about…well, you can probably guess.

 

"She said you told her you didn't love her and that you wanted her to return home and never come back!" snarled Sango. "How could you say something like that to her? I know you wanted her to stay. Don't you love her?"

 

Inuyasha felt the red stinging at his cheeks but didn't back down. "I never said anything like that to her! Why the hell would I? And I was the one trying to convince her to stay!"

 

"You're avoiding the question!" she snapped.

 

"It's none of your business!" he replied.

 

"Oh yes, it is!" she growled. She walked up to him and started jabbing her finger into his chest. "Kagome is like a sister to me, and I want her to be happy. We all know she loves you, and we know that returning the feeling would make her happy. So spill it! Don't you love Kagome?"

 

He was blushing furiously now, but still wouldn't answer.

 

"Inuyasha…" Sango said threateningly.

 

"All right, all right! God, Sango, I don't see why you even need to ask something so stupid. You guys all know full well without me having to say it that I do!" Inuyasha spat, finally giving in. By now, his face matched his haorihakama.

 

"Then why--" snarled Sango, jabbing her finger into his ribs, "--would you let her go that easily and say such things to her?"

 

"For the last time, Sango, I didn't say that shit to her!" he yelled. "You know I wanted her to stay, we all did! I would never tell her to go home!"

 

At that moment, Kaede walked into the hut, carrying a basket of herbs she had been picking. She stared in minor surprise at the scene before her; Inuyasha and Sango standing practically nose-to-nose, with her finger driven firmly (and rather painfully) into Inuyasha's side; Shippou and Miroku stood watching, Shippou with a look of sorrow and longing, Miroku with a thoughtful, yet unreadable, expression.

 

"What ails ye all?" she asked mildly. She glanced around, and her forehead furrowed with concern. "Where be Kagome?"

 

"Lady Kaede, would you help us?" asked Miroku. "We have a minor situation. Sango and Inuyasha--"

 

"This isn't a minor situation, Miroku!" snapped Sango. "Kagome's gone, Kaede, and it's all Inuyasha's fault!"

 

"It ain't my fault!" yelled Inuyasha. "I didn't say anything like that to her!"

 

"Kagome wouldn't lie about something like that, Inuyasha!" growled Sango.

 

"And neither would I!" Inuyasha practically roared.

 

Kaede watched, her face align with confusion. "Would it be alright if ye explained from the beginning?" she asked.

 

Miroku sat down, a calm influence in the middle of a tormented sea. "Kagome awoke earlier this evening," he began. "Sango and Shippou were with her. Almost immediately, Kagome stood and told them that she had collapsed not from the influence of the Jewel, but from the pain of a rejection rendered by Inuyasha. She told them that Inuyasha wished for her to go back to her own time and never return. Inuyasha and myself saw her on the way to the well, and Inuyasha tried to stop her, but she gave the same story, refused to listen to Inuyasha, and simply left. Inuyasha denies ever saying anything of the kind to her, and frankly, I believe him. It's no secret how he feels about her; he'd never tell her something like that."

 

Inuyasha was blushing again. "Dammit, why do you guys pay so much attention to us?" he asked.

 

"Well, it's not like you guys are discreet or anything," replied Shippou cheekily. Inuyasha scowled and whapped the smaller demon over the head.

 

"So anyway, we're trying to understand exactly what happened," finished Miroku.

 

Kaede's eye widened. "Oh my," she said, sitting down and placing the basket on the floor. "This is awful. When did she wake up?"

 

"I'd say about half an hour ago," said Sango, also sitting down and frowning. "Why?"

 

"Was the Jewel still glowing when she woke up?"

 

Sango and Shippou both nodded, and Kaede frowned with worry. "Gods preserve us," she said.

 

"What is it?" asked Inuyasha.

 

"The demon in the Jewel got to her," she answered.

 

Inuyasha leaned forward tensely, grasping the Tessaiga in his hand. "What are you talking about?" he asked, afraid of the answer.

 

"The demon fighting Midoriko," said Kaede. "It must've tricked Kagome by showing her the one thing that would break her heart, the one weakness she had in her spirit. If Kagome's left to believe what she had seen for too long, she'll lose the powers and strength that Midoriko's depending on her for--and may even kill herself."

 

"What?!" cried Inuyasha, jumping up as though burned.

 

"Inuyasha, you have to go after her!" said Shippou. "Stop her!"

 

He curled his hand into a fist, so tightly his claws broke his own skin and he began to bleed. "She won't listen to me," he said quietly, angrily. "She wouldn't listen before she left. After what that demon made her believe, and what she said to me before she left…she won't listen to me."

 

"You still have to try," said Sango fiercely. "You can't just let her go like this! You guys belong together; you can't just walk away as though nothing had happened."

 

He nodded, his eyes downcast. "I know that, but…"

 

"Let her cool off," advised Miroku. "Go tomorrow morning, after she leaves for school. Wait around for her, then talk to her. She may be calm enough to talk to you then."

 

Inuyasha swallowed and nodded. It sounded so simple, so easy. But it wouldn't be, and he knew it. He just hoped against all hope that Miroku was right, and that she'd listen to him.

 

And he hoped beyond anything else that, despite the fact that he hadn't done anything this time, she'd forgive him. He couldn't let her misunderstand all this…not this time.

 

* * *

 

"Kagome!"

 

Kagome turned at the sound of her name. The girls were running up to her, wide grins on their faces.

 

"It's great to see you again!" exclaimed Eri.

 

"We were so afraid that that last thing would've really been your last," added Ayumi. "You were so close to death it was scary!"

 

"So glad you're okay!" chimed Yuka.

 

"Thanks, guys," she said, trying to smile and speak with her usual aplomb.

 

It didn't work.

 

"Kagome, what's wrong?" asked Yuka.

 

"Is it Inuyasha or Hojou again?" asked Eri.

 

She blinked and sighed. Were her boy problems that obvious?

 

"I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled. And she didn't, not this time. The less she said about Inuyasha, the better. She was trying to forget him, after all.

 

Inside, something churned, adding another layer to the new emotional barrier around her heart. Ever since she had arrived home, she had been forcing herself into numbness, trying not to feel the pain of Inuyasha's rejection. As a matter of fact, she was trying to block out all emotions. Her emotions were what had gotten her into this mess anyway, right?

 

Another layer was added from that bitter thought. And she felt a little twinge of sorrow. It felt as though her soul was falling away, as though she were giving it up in order to get through the rest of her life…just as so many demons and humans had done in the Sengoku-jidai.

 

Ayumi gasped. "Inuyasha dumped you?!" she cried.

 

"You're kidding! He loved you so much!" exclaimed Eri. "How could he do something so cruel as that?"

 

Kagome didn't say anything, and the three of them shut up.

 

"Sorry, Kags," said Yuka, using an old nickname of Kagome's. "Didn't mean to keep it up. You okay?"

 

She nodded. "I'm not upset, if that's what you're asking," she said. And she wasn't. for some reason she couldn't fathom, she wasn't upset about it anymore. oh sure, she had grieved--she had spent all night crying her eyes out over him. But when she had woken up this morning, a resolve was fixed firmly in her mind, a resolve to forget about him and try to go back to her old life.

 

Her nonchalant manner worried her, though. She knew she loved the damned jerk, loved him beyond comprehension, but if she was trying so hard to toss him aside, what did that say about them…about her?

 

Ayumi peered at her closely. "What's that around your neck, Kagome?" she asked tentatively.

 

Kagome blinked and reached for the necklace. On the chain was the Shikon no Tama--her only hope to contain herself and not run back to the Sengoku-jidai, to Inuyasha and her friends. "It's just a jewel," she said indifferently.

 

"From anyone?"

 

She hesitated. Technically, it was from Kikyou and Midoriko, but how would she explain that one? "No," she said finally. "It's mine."

 

They looked disappointed, and she could tell that they had been hoping it to have been from Inuyasha. She sighed again. maybe she wasn't upset about this, but she was depressed as HELL, which was a really odd experience for her.

 

Eri opened her mouth to say something, but the school bell rang at that moment.

 

Saved by the bell, thought Kagome in relief. "C'mon, let's go," she said, motioning for them to follow her.

 

The day had begun.

 

* * *

 

About the same time the four girls were walking into their classroom, Inuyasha climbed up and out of the well. He sniffed the air; Kagome's scent still lingered. He walked out of the well house, stifling a yawn. He hadn't been able to sleep last night. He'd been too busy worrying about Kagome and what they would say to one another. Whenever he had slept, his dreams had been full of Kagome's death before being able to admit to her how he felt, or a rejection even if he did manage to spit it out. He had tossed and turned all night, and sill had nothing to show for it. he walked toward the main house, and, breathing in deeply, entered.

 

"Father? Is that you?" called out Mrs. Higurashi's voice. She walked into the entrance hall and pulled up short, a soapy frying pan in her hand. "Inuyasha!"

 

"Uh, hi, Mrs. Higurashi," he said. He wondered if and how much she knew about the situation.

 

"I've been hoping you'd visit," she said, smiling. "I wanted to talk to you."

 

He nodded, and she motioned that he follow her. After setting down the pan, they walked outside together in complete silence. Then Inuyasha noticed where they were headed.

 

"The Goshinboku?"

 

Still she said nothing, and merely continued walking. He followed, and remained standing when she sat on a bench next to the tree.

 

"Smell the air, Inuyasha," she said. "I cannot smell them, but with your senses, you probably can."

 

Confused, he complied. At first, he didn't notice anything. Then his eyes widened as he smelled Kagome's scent, mixed with a salty, watery scent.

 

"Kagome's tears…" he murmured.

 

Mrs. Higurashi nodded, and merely sat, waiting. Inuyasha felt his throat close up, and he couldn't say anything.

 

"I won't ask what happened," she said at last. "It's none of my business. But I do ask that you make up with her, because Kagome's the most depressed I've ever seen her, and considering she's never been depressed before…"

 

Inuyasha sighed and collapsed onto the bench next to her.

 

"Kagome was wearing a jewel when she came home, right?" he asked. Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "That Jewel contained a demon, which tricked her into thinking that I betrayed her. She left because of that."

 

"What could a demon show my Kagome that would hurt her so much?" she asked evenly. "Surely her trust in you is stronger than that."

 

"I wish it was. But I…I've hurt her before, and the demon used that to his advantage." He should've seen this interrogation coming, but oh well. "He made her believe that…that I still loved a woman I knew a long time ago, and didn't love her at all."

 

"And…do you?" she asked. Her voice trembled slightly.

 

He swallowed. Why was everyone asking him this? "Kagome…means more to me than anyone ever has," he admitted. "She means more to me than my life does, more than everything in the world. I…I do love her, and I'd give anything to have the chance to be with her…but…"

 

She placed her hand on his shoulder, sensing his need for comfort. "But?"

 

"But after this, I don't know if she trusts me anymore," he finished. "I've known for a while that she loves me, but trust is a different matter entirely, and yet it isn't. They go together, don't they? You can't have one without the other. And if she doesn't trust me, what does that say about us? I don't know what to do, what to expect. I suppose it's my fault all this happened, but still…"

 

She didn't say anything. She merely allowed him to continue.

 

"Dear kami, she must hate me now," he groaned, burying his face in his hands. "This had to have been the final straw for her. After everything with Kikyou, and that damned demon doing this to her…"

 

Abruptly he clamed up, suddenly realizing what he was saying, and who to. Mrs. Higurashi removed her hand from his shoulder. The hanyou watched her from the corner of his eye. He had just told everything he was currently feeling to the one person he shouldn't have--Kagome's mom. What would she do? Would she allow a relationship? Would she forbid them from ever laying eyes on one another again?

 

"Inuyasha?"

 

He looked her fully in the face, but still wouldn't quite meet her eyes. "Yeah?" he asked gruffly, preparing himself for the worst.

 

"I suggest you talk to Kagome. This is between you two. I can't really do anything to help, although if I can, please don't hesitate to ask."

 

He blinked, and she smiled at him. "Don't look so surprised," she said. "I've had a feeling this would happen for a long time--ever since I saw you two together, actually. I approved then, and I still approve now. But even if I didn't, I know it wouldn't matter. This is your business, not mine. All I can say is that you can rest assured that you are always welcome in my home."

 

He relaxed slightly. At least she wasn't going to throw him out by the ear. She even approved, despite his demon heritage.

 

Now remained the big challenge--Kagome.

 

* * *

 

Classes were over, but Kagome didn't feel like going home just yet. The girls had insisted on going to a place and talking, in an attempt to cheer their heart-broken friend up. The place they had found was rather like a bar, but it was mainly for teens--depressed teens. They served no alcohol, but they played dark, heart-wrenching music, had black lights, and blue neon signs. Kagome sipped her Coke. The place matched her mood.

 

*I know there's something in the wake of your smile.

I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yeah.*

 

Kagome glanced up. This song was new to her. Must've come out while she had been in the Sengoku-jidai.

 

"Kagome, what happened between you and Inuyasha?" asked Ayumi gently.

 

*You've built a love, but that love falls apart.

Your little piece of heaven turns too dark.*

 

"We've split up, and this time, I think it's for good," she said, her voice devoid of any emotion. Her throat closed up as an unexpected wave of tears threatened her.

 

*Listen to your heart, when he's calling for you.

Listen to your heart, there's nothing else you can do.*

 

At the words of the song, her heart stirred. It had been silent ever since the purification process had begun, as far as she could remember.

 

Or was it simply that, since the vision, she had refused to listen to it?

 

*I don't know where you're going, and I don't know why.

But listen to your heart…before you tell him goodbye.*

 

But she hadn't. she had gone with what she had seen, what her mind had believed to be the right path. But her heat knew the true path. Was that why she was so miserable?

 

"Kagome?" asked Yuka.

 

"This song…it's good," said Kagome. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, reveling in the song. It was making her think and feel again.

 

*Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile.

The precious moments are all lost in the tide, yeah.

They're swept away, and nothing is what it seems.

A feeling of belonging to your dreams.

 

Listen to your heart…*

 

Kagome sang with the chorus under her breath. She knew Inuyasha was calling for her, wanting to talk to her. And she wanted to do the same. She wanted to see him again. She should go to him…

 

No. No, they had split up. It was over…wasn't it?

 

*And there are voices that want to be heard.
So much to mention, but you can't find the words.
The scent of magic,the beauty that's been
when love was wilder than the wind*

 

They both wanted their voices to be heard, but neither could find the words to say to one another. That's why they were still apart right now. They had refused to find words to say to each other.

 

*Listen to your heart, when he's calling for you.

Listen to your heart, there's nothing else you can do.

I don't know where you're going, and I don't know why.

But listen to your heart…before you tell him goodbye.

 

Listen to your heart, mm-mmm.

I don't know where you're going, and I don't know why.

But listen to your heart…before…… you tell him goodbye*

 

Abruptly she stood. Her friends watched her with quizzical expressions.

 

"I have to go talk to him," she said. "Thanks for taking me here. I'll see you guys later."

 

* * *

 

"Mom, I'm home!" called Kagome. She immediately headed for her room. She would change clothes, then go see Inuyasha.

 

She reached the door to her room, then rushed in. She hurriedly changed her clothes, then rummaged through her desk for a dagger she usually kept in there, in case of burglars, but this time it would be used to defend herself while she didn't have her bow and arrows, in case of demons. She hurriedly strapped it around her waist and grabbed her brush. She was in the process of brushing her hair when she heard her bedroom window slide open.

 

"Kagome."

 

She froze, turned. Climbing through the window was…

 

"Inuyasha."

 

***************************************************************** *************

Author's note:

 

Finally! I've had this one done for weeks, but I finally was able to type it tonight! I don't have time to do the next chapter; my dad will be home from work soon. But I may get it up tomorrow night! Yay!

 

In case you don't know the song I put in here (and so I don't get sued by someone), I didn't make it up. It's called "Listen to Your Heart", and the version I was thinking of when I wrote this was the remake by DHT. If you've never heard it, I suggest you try to, cause it's a great song!

 

Um…I don't think there's any new Japanese in here. If there is, someone contact me and let me know.

 

Thanks to those of you who left reviews! This story's having the exact effect I was hoping it would. Yay!

 

And tomorrow premiers…the final chapter!