InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ As Young Hearts Grow Older ❯ Patience ( Chapter 7 )

As Young Hearts Grow Older

 

Chapter Seven

 

Disclaimer: InuYasha is the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own any of the original characters or plot ideas.

 

 

Sesshoumaru stopped dead in his tracks. The scent of the night air had changed. Something about it was fundamentally different, wrong, and it unnerved the youkai. Golden eyes clouded in concentration and a frown crossed his face.

 

He felt a small being thump against his leg. Jaken was obviously not paying attention to where he was walking, yet again. He heard the scurrying behind him as the green little imp rushed to his feet, brushing off any dirt that may have sullied his robes.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru! Why have we stopped?” queried the whiny voice at Sesshoumaru's knees.

 

Jaken was a small demon, hardly tall enough to be the same size as a human child. Soon enough, Rin would become taller than he could ever hope to be. As it was, Rin was already growing at an alarming rate. She had always been taller than he was, but now it was starting to become bothersome to the little demon.

 

He rustled his simple brown clothing with his tiny green fingers, shaking the sand off as best he could. He hated looking like a careless fool around his master. Jaken was quiet as he waited for his lord to answer him. He didn't want to further irritate Sesshoumaru by pestering him needlessly.

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Something foul and filled with evil was nearby. He could feel its demonic aura in the pit of his stomach, strong and malicious. Whatever it was, it was vile to its very core, Sesshoumaru was quite sure of that.

 

Rin sat atop Ah-un, carefully observing the expression on her savior's face. He was deep in disturbed thought, a look that rarely graced his features. Then again, she reminded herself, just about any demonstration of emotion on his countenance was atypical. His appearance was usually a mask of cold indifference.

 

His face, she mused. He was the most beautiful man that she had ever seen. His flawless features caught the attention of many women, but he had little time or consideration for any of them. Rin deemed herself unbelievably lucky to be able to look on him each day. He was like an angel.

 

Sesshoumaru was her angel. He had saved her, resurrected her when she stood on death's door. His golden eyes had been one of the first things she had seen when she had awoken, his beautiful white mane hanging near the two auriferous orbs. She knew then that she owed him her life and she intended to make good on it.

 

Though she was young, Rin knew this man had to be her destiny. He simply had to. Her heart called to him, but she knew that he would never hear it. She had vowed to follow him as closely as Jaken, never leaving his side unless he commanded it. When she grew older, she could only hope to serve him in a way that better pleased him.

 

Approaching her twelfth year, Rin knew that her body would soon be maturing at a speed equal to her heart. The thought that no other man would ever make her happy and the one that she wanted would never truly see her brought a melancholy twinge to her heart. A life of servitude was what she would lovingly resign herself to if that was her only chance to see her Lord everyday, to be near him.

 

His smooth voice brought her out of her reverie. “Jaken, do you feel this demonic aura?”

 

“Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru. It is quite strong! What do you think it could be?”

 

Sesshoumaru paused. “I do not know, but I am sure that I do not like its appearance here in the West. Tonight, we will return to the castle and tomorrow we will seek it out.”

 

The group turned towards the west, headed for the Lord's castle. It had only been recently that he had acquired such a conquest, but Jaken and Rin at least were glad that he had. It was nice for the two of them to finally have a place to call home.

 

The large castle loomed on the horizon in the distance at the base of a mountain. From this distance, it seemed foreboding. However, upon coming closer, the lush gardens and focused guards put a traveler at better ease. The castle was certainly well cared for and no one could say that Sesshoumaru's army didn't respect the land of their lord.

 

The dog demon tribe had waited for some time to be able to reclaim the lands of the West. After Naraku's defeat, it had been relatively easy for Sesshoumaru to regain what was rightfully his, striking down the pitiful former lord of the castle. He supposed that he owed that, in small part, to Inuyasha, but he would never admit it to the half-breed's face. He would rather have his right arm cut off than be beholden to his brother.

 

Sesshoumaru arranged his clothing elegantly. He began walking towards his home without as much as a gesture to his two traveling companions. Rin and Jaken were used to this, and began to follow his lead wordlessly.

 

Rin's hand floated to her face. She wondered what tomorrow would bring for her lord. He would probably make her stay at the castle, a fate which she hated more than anything. She would worry constantly over his safety until he returned to her once more.

 

She sighed. “Hmm…”

 

oOo

 

Sango stared at the well in the pale light of the morning. She was waiting for something, anything, to happen. Miroku had shown her all that she had needed to see. Now it was just a matter of patience.

 

Inuyasha had been gone all night long. Something had to be happening between Kagome and the hanyou. Sango hoped with everything that she had that it was something good. Now, in the waning darkness, she lingered, searching for some sign of life from the well.

 

She had left her friends in their small hut sometime during the night. She had been far too restless to sleep. Miroku was surely sleeping deeply. He had been hard at work on constructing a hut for the two to live in after their impending nuptials. They had decided to stay in Kaede's village, since the exterminator village had nothing to offer but graves and memories.

 

She had hoped to have Kagome there on her wedding day. She hadn't been sure in the past how to brooch the subject with Inuyasha, being as he was the only person who would be able to bring her to the event. Now, if things went well, she might not have to.

 

Sango looked forward to her wedding. She would be glad to finally be attached to her beloved by more than just her heart strings. Even though they wouldn't be able to have a large ceremony, she knew that it would be made as beautiful as possible by all that attended.

 

In fact, the lord of a castle that their group had once saved from a demon had recently contacted them. He had heard of Miroku and Sango's impending marriage and wished to offer them a gift for, as he said, helping to preserve his way of life. He had sent five glorious Kimono to honor the ceremony.

 

He had sent garments for Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kagome, and Inuyasha. Sango had inspected them all, eyes wide with disbelief. Hers was the most stunning of the group. It was a silken white traditional wedding Kimono. It was, by far, the most impressive bridal Kimono she had ever seen. The embroidery looked as though it had taken a plethora of women many decades to complete. It was delicate and detailed. Sango was almost afraid to wear it, not wanting to compromise its beauty.

 

Miroku's was the time-honored black, simple and neat. Though the design was uncomplicated, the quality of the fabric was impeccable. She was sure that this would be the finest item Miroku would ever wear in his life. Even though it was no different from most other Kimono she had seen him in, she was giddy to see him in this one. Miroku had told her that it was only because of the symbolism behind it.

 

The Kimono sent for Inuyasha and Kagome were equally impressive. Inuyasha's was a deep blue, the color of the ocean during a harsh storm. He would look very handsome in it, she was convinced; though they had rarely seen him in a color other than that of his Fire Rat robe. Inuyasha was a very good looking man, his personality just got in his way at times. Kagome's Kimono was a bright red, a spring scene embroidered lovingly into the fine silk. Even Inuyasha was sure to tell her how striking she looked in it.

 

Shippou had been sent a fine little outfit for the event. His was a forest green kimono. It was simple and manly, very becoming for the little kitsune. Sango was sure that it would make him feel important and adult, something he tried very hard to be in their eyes.

 

Sango's body stiffened as she heard a rustling in the trees behind her. Her fingers tightened instinctively around the dagger resting in her obi. She turned to face whatever may have been coming her way.

 

Miroku emerged from behind a tree, hands held up in a gesture of surrender. “It's just me, my love. No need to worry.”

 

Sango visibly relaxed. All the time they had spent hunting demons and fending off attacks had made her very wary of her surroundings. It was nice to be able to loosen up a little.

 

The monk smiled. “I thought this was where you may have come. Perhaps I shouldn't have told you about Inuyasha's intentions after all!” he joked.

 

Sango laughed nervously. “I know, I know. I should have waited until he came back, but I just couldn't help myself. I couldn't sleep at all because I was so worried about what might be happening between the two of them!”

 

Miroku placed a loving arm around Sango's shoulders. In the two years they had been betrothed, he had grown accustomed to her impatience in the same way she had gotten used to his sexual advances while they fought alongside each other. Miroku had to admit, though, the spoils of marriage were very worth giving up his flirtations with other women, even if it meant having to deal with Sango's short comings.

 

He aimed her in the direction of the village, slowly walking her back. Sango gazed wistfully at the Bone Eater's well for a moment, and then succumbed to her fiancé's wishes. She knew that there was much to be done in the village that morning and she probably shouldn't have been dawdling in the forest as it was.

 

Miroku squeezed the taijiya's shoulder. “It will be fine, darling Sango. I'm sure of it.”

 

“I hope you're right,” she sighed.

 

oOo

 

Kagome let the hot water rush over her body, feeling her muscles relax. She had left Inuyasha dozing on her bed. She needed to prepare for her day, needed to think about what the future would hold.

 

She wasn't sure what her next course of action should be. She was eager for the opportunity to see her old friends, her dear companions who had regrettably been left in the past. She had to wonder what Inuyasha would do, what she would do. Should she abandon one era for another? Live in the past and forsake the present? Live in the present, forsake the past? They couldn't go on defying time, could they?

 

Her destiny was so unclear to her at that moment. She hoped that somehow, the Gods would show her what course to take. She wished some divine being would appear and simply tell her what to do.

 

Kagome stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her wet body. There would be plenty of time to think of these things later. For now, she had to ready herself for the day ahead. It may have been the weekend, but she wasn't going to be resting. She had too many things to do, loose ends to tie back into the cords of her life.

 

She tossed the damp towel into the hamper as soon as she was satisfied with how dry she was. She looked at her face in the mirror before getting dressed. Her brown eyes were slightly puffy from the tears she'd cried earlier. She shook her head and turned her attention to her clothing.

 

Kagome slid into her underwear and snapped her bra into place. She pulled her blue jeans up over her slender legs and hips, zipping them noisily into place. The white tank top slipped over her head and came to rest in a pleasing way on her body. She looked at herself one last time in the mirror approvingly.

 

She opened the bathroom door and made her way back down the hallway towards her bedroom door. While she walked, she tied her hair into a tight ponytail to be sure it wouldn't hang in her face all day. Her feet made almost no sound on the floor.

 

When she came to her door, she opened it as quietly as possible. She didn't want to wake Inuyasha if she didn't have to. It had been an emotional time for the two and it hadn't even been a full day. She knew as well as anyone how much of a difference a night of sleep could make.

 

She opened the door only a crack at first. When she saw that Inuyasha was sitting up on her bed, no longer sleeping, she abandoned any efforts she had made at being stealthy. He had a picture frame in his hands and he was looking down at it. Kagome wasn't sure how to read the look on his face. It was a cross between nostalgia, melancholy, and regret.

 

“So you're awake,” she said.

 

He looked at her, slightly startled. “Yeah, I didn't really sleep for long.”

 

She looked at his hands again, pretending to notice he was holding something for the first time. “What's that?”

 

He held out the frame to her so that she could see it. Contained within was a snapshot of Inuyasha and Kagome together. The two of them sat beneath the Goshinboku, looking at each other pleasantly. Kagome didn't recall this picture ever having been taken.

 

Kagome's brows knit together in confusion. “Where did you get this?”

 

Inuyasha shrugged. “Your mom gave it to me this morning. She said she took it a few years ago, but she never told you. Then, after you came back and I was gone, she didn't want to upset you with it, so she never gave it to you.”

 

Kagome sighed. “So my mother gave it to you this morning. What was she doing up so early?”

 

Kagome wasn't expecting an answer, but Inuyasha had one. “She told me that she wanted to get an early start on her day. She said she had some things to buy at the market, whatever that means.”

 

Kagome grabbed her yellow backpack from the corner of the room. “Well, I don't know what she thinks she has to buy. I mean, she just went shopping a few days ago.”

 

Without waiting for a response, Kagome moved to her closet. She began to pick out several outfits, hardly bothering to fold them before stuffing them into her bag. She moved to her dresser, cramming a few more items in her bag before turning her attention back to the boy on her bed.

 

“Well,” she said, “I'm ready to go back with you for a few days. I'm anxious to talk to Sango.”

 

“I'm sure she wants to talk to you too. I know she's getting ready for her wedding.”

 

“You mean they haven't actually gotten married yet?” Kagome asked, stunned.

 

“Not yet, they haven't. Miroku's been building their hut for afterwards though. For now, they've just been living with Kaede. And for some reason, they all think that I'm trying to woo some village wench. As though I'd waste my time on that!”

 

Kagome laughed. “They actually think that you're in love with some random woman? No offense, but you're not exactly the type for romance.”

 

Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest and played at being offended. “See if I ever bring you flowers again!” he muttered.

 

Kagome was already at her bedroom door. She gestured at Inuyasha to follow her. “Are you coming?”

 

He sprang off the bed and followed her swaying hips down the stairs. He had always thought that she was sexy, but now he couldn't seem to think about anything other than her body. It had felt so good to have her pressed against him last night. He wasn't sure what he ever did to deserve a woman so gorgeous and devoted. One thing was certain: he didn't want to screw it up. He was lucky to even have gotten a second chance.

 

As the couple reached the kitchen, they were greeted with the sounds of rustling bags. A curious look came over Kagome's face as she rounded the corner to find her mother unloading a host of groceries. She knew her mother didn't need this much at the store.

 

“What's all this for, Mom?” Kagome asked.

 

“Well,” began Mrs. Higurashi, trying her best to keep the grin from her face, “I just sort of assumed that you'd be going back with Inuyasha for a while-and that backpack tells me that I might not be wrong! Anyways, I decided to pick up a few things for all of you.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes lit up. “Does that mean you bought…ramen?”

 

Mrs. Higurashi chuckled. “Of course I did! I remembered how much you love it!”

 

Kagome smiled and shook her head. She was grateful to have a mother so understanding and loving. She didn't want to forsake the present for the past and leave behind the chance at more of these moments, but she had no idea what her next step should be. At any rate, she didn't want to think about it right now.

 

The next half hour or so was spent in mostly silent reflection as they prepared the items to take back with them. Inuyasha could sense Kagome's excitement, but there was something else, something more like incredulity, that stood out. He wasn't sure what it was and he didn't know how to ask her.

 

If there was anything that he knew about Kagome, though, it was that she would come clean with her feelings in due time. She always did. It was part of what he loved about her. She was always honest with him. She never kept him guessing or in the dark like other women were prone to do. He was confident that he would soon find out what troubled her.

 

Kagome couldn't help but think of the decision that was before her. Uncertainty was just about the only thing she was sure of. She hoped that Sango or Miroku could put things into perspective for her. They were a devoted couple. There had to be something to glean from their experiences.

 

She focused on the task in front of her. She grouped food items together by size to maximize space. It amazed her how quickly she could still do this, even after two years. She regretted not being able to get anything special for Shippou, but she was sure he would allow her a pass just this once.

 

Kagome stood up, satisfied with their efforts to bundle their supplies. “All done!” she declared.

 

Mrs. Higurashi stood next to her daughter. The two of them hugged and mother wished daughter a safe trip. Then she turned her attention to the hanyou standing next to her. She pulled him into a hug as well, which brought a startled and confused look to come to his face.

 

“Take care of her,” Mrs. Higurashi whispered. “She's my baby girl.”

 

Inuyasha whispered back, “I will.”

 

Kagome took Inuyasha's hand in hers. “It's time to go.”

 

He nodded. Inuyasha picked up the large bundle filled with rations and shouldered it almost effortlessly. The pair started in the direction of the well house.