InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Alone till Love ❯ The Truth ( Chapter 8 )

Mia: Not much of an intro today...*sigh*

Cresent Moon22000: Nope, nope

Mia: So on, with Chapter 8!!

Cresent: Yup, yup!

~

Chapter 8: The Truth

The darkness had fallen quickly, with a density that had forced even the sharp eyed Danika to stop for a moment and wait for the thickness of night to settle. Riku knew immediately what such a darkness meant, and turned to find Danika gazing uneasily at him.

`What is it?' He thought-spoke to her, and her frown deepened. Riku breathed deeply, but Auron's scent was not mingled with that of their companions or of their environment. He was instantly calmed, and his features softened ever so slightly.

Danika noticed and her frown faded slightly. `I thought for sure this darkness meant he had come.' Danika thought to him, keeping the worry out of her tone. It took a strong will to hide the intensity of the emotion, but Danika was determined not to allow him to see the concern.

At that moment, as Inu-yasha strode up beside them and unsheathed the Tetsusaiga, swinging it effortlessly over his shoulder. His introspective features and firm, thoughtful frown made it certain to Riku that this hanyou was not going to trust them easily.

"I'm not a fool, and I know you two are hiding something." Inu-yasha said quietly as Kagome rummaged through her bag behind them, futilely searching for her flashlight. "And I also know that she's an elf. Which means she can thought-speak. Which is what you were just doing. I can tell."

Danika gazed at him, a mixture of curiosity and respect in her eyes. He was most definitely not a fool, but he played one very well. Riku also took a moment to glance at him, before returning to gazing cautiously about him.

"I can tell that you are not a fool, Inu-yasha, and that your heart is in the right place. But can you truly say you will do what is best for Kagome when the opportunity arises?" Riku spoke after a lengthy silence, in which the density of the night only worsened. The wind picked up slightly, yet the slight fog and dense darkness did not falter.

Inu-yasha didn't remove his gaze from straight ahead. Kagome looked up to find the three shrouded in the light fog that had settled, each frowning; each thoughtful. The darkness seemed to engulf them, but she continued digging through her bag.

They needed to keep moving, Kagome had been reminded many times. She was unsure of why, but the deep blackness of the evening convinced her that Riku was correct in saying so. The three seemed to be speaking, feature changing as if a silent conversation was being exchanged. Kagome shrugged off the strange suspicion, and continued to dig through her over-stuffed rucksack.

Suddenly, Inu-yasha was thrown back. Kagome yelled out as he landed before her. He caught himself, landing on one knee, in a kneel. His head rose slowly and his eyes met Kagome. Something made her stumble back as her eyes met his, the amber orbs glowing radiantly in the pale evening light.

"Kagome..." He managed to mutter, before turning his horrified eyes onto Riku. The demon's gaze made certain what Inu-yasha had just learned of his beloved Kagome. Danika sank weakly against Riku, eyes glittering in a light that didn't exist.

Inu-yasha turned back to Kagome, eyes meeting hers with hesitance. She stepped towards him, concernedly. He stared up into her chocolate eyes, the initial horror fading into open disbelief. He slowly reached up, and placed his hand against her cheek.

Kagome gripped his hand and kneeled beside him, concern still intertwined with suspicion and shock. "What happened?" She asked, her voice quiet. Inu- yasha didn't speak, but his eyes locked with her once more and suddenly the nightmare flashed through her mind once more.

She gripped his hand more tightly, and fell forward, into him. He caught her and wrapped his arm around her. He turned once more to Riku, as Kagome gripped his shirt. Riku glanced at Inu-yasha, who's features were undistinguishable; suspicion, apprehension--fear felt whole-heartedly for Kagome alone.

Riku knew instantly that Inu-yasha was more than what he had at first assumed. This hanyou's was more than met the eyes, Riku realized as the amber-eyed Inu-yasha stared up at him. To defeat Auron, however, she would need more than the undying love of her brothers and friends.

More even than the hidden love of Inu-yasha.

~

The ink-like darkness didn't falter or fade, lasting throughout the anxious night. Just as the first light of the morning splashed the sky with color, the darkness began to vanish and the mists disperse. Kagome was too relieved to speak.

The night had passed without event, but the entire group was anxious nonetheless. As the darkness finally faded all together, Kagome voiced what had been on her mind the previous evening.

"Something happened yesterday." Kagome replied, "Tell me what." Danika glanced sidelong at Riku, then at Inu-yasha. Both men looked back at the raven-haired girl with the bulging backpack. Danika turned to face Kagome, and they all came to a stop.

"What happened to Inu-yasha yesterday, is only but a mere example of what will happen to you." Danika began, but before she could speak again, Inu- yasha interrupted her. "No!" He said loudly, stepping towards Danika.

Kagome glanced at the three. Once more, a silent discussion was taking place.

"I can tell you no more." Danika finished after a heavy silence, closing her mouth tightly and beginning to walk once more. Kagome scowled and dropped her bag. "What's going on!? I don't like being treated like a naïve kid! I can handle it!" she exclaimed, "And I'm not moving until you give me the chance."

Inu-yasha turned and scowled back at the obstinate girl. Their eyes locked, and both expressions softened. Danika and Riku continued to walk, both exchanging glances that were unreadable to Inu-yasha and Kagome. Eventually, the entire group was silent and moving once more.

It was a strange atmosphere, Kagome realized after many boring minutes. Strange for the fact that Riku and Danika so reflected the innermost wishes of Kagome; to be with Inu-yasha in a relationship untouched by the terrible realities of the world.

Kagome sighed inwardly, and Inu-yasha noted this with a frown. So much seemed to already rest upon her shoulders, and yet......how could he take such a burden from her, when she herself knew not of the terrible pain that plagued her soul? Her life, memory, and beliefs may have been altered......yet inside, so very deep inside, nothing could hide who she was. What she could be.

Who Kagome was meant to be. ~

Inu-yasha stopped dead in his tracks, and reached out to grab Kagome's shoulder. "Kagome!" He snapped, eyes darting around them, mind racing. "It's him! Naraku!" Kagome inhaled sharply. Riku cast a glance back at them, and paused at the sight of their faces.

"What? What is it?" Danika asked, her usually calm disposition becoming steadily less calm indeed. Riku placed a hand on the hilt of his inherited blade and readied himself for an attack. Slowly, with unseen hesitance, he drew in a deep breath.

There, in the midst of all other scents, was that of Auron's.

"Auron." Riku breathed, the effect Auron's scent, name--the thought of Auron was enough to make even Riku grow anxious with fear. Danika placed a slender hand on Riku's shoulder. `He comes.' she whispered, her voice ringing in his thoughts.

`Has the time come, Danika? The time to tell her.....? To tell Kagome who she is destined to be?'

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Mia: A short chapter, but useful nonetheless!

Cresent: Definitely short, however we're yet to see how useful.

* awkward silence *

Inu: They sound....smart......whoa!

Mia & Crescent: What's that supposed to mean!?!?

Inu: Yipe! *runs away*

Mia:......didn't even need to get the mallet out this time......

Cresent: *shrugs*

Mia: Oh well! Thanks for reading! Please review!