InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Avoidance ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

I do not own Inuyasha & Co.


Oi, minna! Well, since I am spending more time in reception right now, I decided to enjoy the free mind time and write this chapter, as well as the latest chapter of Street Musician. So, enjoy this week, since I'm not sure if I will be able to do the same next week :-D

 

 

 

Chapter 12


The wolves left, and Inuyasha lifted Kagome from the floor to take her to her room once again.  Once he entered her room, he laid her upon the floor and gathered her bedding for her comfort.  After he had her lain upon the futon, her head propped up on the pillow, he then left her to gather some provisions.

The fight went through his mind as he gathered everything needed to take care of her.  Koga was such an idiot.  Also, to have such numb skulls as his comrades…makes Koga a complete joke.

If there's one thing Inuyasha knew about wolves, would be they hunt and live in packs, one being the leader.  Who knows what happened to the rest of Koga's pack, but it wouldn't take much to instill fear into the minds of those weaklings.

As he walked back to Kagome's room, he got a shot of pain in the back of his head, which hit Kagome when Koga punched him.  He raised his hand to the bump on the back of his head and hissed in pain.  He then looked down to see her lying still, as if dead on the futon before him.

He had no clue what affect the hit had on her, just that she had not gained consciousness since she hit the floor.  He knelt down before her and set down the bowl of water as he dipped a rag in, wrung it out, then set it on her forehead, neatly folded.  He touched her cheek to determine her temperature, and then sat back on his haunches.

(Inuyasha's POV)


What am I supposed to do now?  I'm not sure if Koga has been completely deterred, but if he has…What do I do with Kagome?  Do I keep her here?  Do I let her go back home and to her job?

I really don't know.  What would I do here without her?  I mean, she only has an apartment, right?  I could help her end her lease…

Wait…what am I thinking?  She's gonna stay here with me?  Honestly, I don't see why she would.  I mean, I know I'd want to go right back where I started, back into my own life.

But can I trust Koga now?  Trust that he'd leave Kagome alone.  I guess I won't know until she awakens, only…How would someone decide something like this? At that thought, a moan escaped her, and her eyes strained to open.

“Kagome,” I said aloud, and her eyes turned towards me.  “Are you all right?”

“Ow…” she moaned as she touched her forehead and the rag fell to the side.

“Koga punched me in the chest not knowing that you were behind me.  I know my head bonked yours.  Do you feel okay?” I asked as she tried to sit up.

“My head and my chest hurt,” she complained as she then looked around in fear.  “Where's Koga?  What's happened?  Are we still in danger?”

“No.  When your body hit the floor unconscious, that gave me the edge to put him in his place.  He left with his comrades after I told him he doesn't deserve you because of his actions.”

“Oh, thank goodness.  I was so frightened when those two demons grabbed me and almost made off with me.  I'm so glad you made it in time,” she replied as she wrapped her arms around me and held me close.

I returned the embrace and closed my eyes.  “I'm glad I was able to keep you safe from harm, Kagome.  When I reached the tower and I saw that sword at your throat, I thought it wasn't going to end well,” I said as I held her protectively to my chest.

“I'm glad they listened to you.  I thought I was going to die right there!” she exclaimed and I felt my shirt chill as her tears fell.  

I sighed as I then lowered her back to the futon and laid down beside her while my arms propped me up above her.  I moved her bangs to the side as she eyed me with uncertainty.  “Did I tell you that one of the reasons why I want you around is because you are so beautiful?”

“No, I didn't know you saw me that way,” she replied as my hand caressed her cheek tenderly.

“You are,” I replied, and then leaned lower to connect my lips to hers, and the feeling caused us both to pant through our noses.  She snaked her arms around my neck again as my hands slipped beneath her back.  Before we knew it, my legs had become entangled with hers.

As we both ended up in vulnerable positions when suddenly, an electrifying aura arose, enveloping us as we continued.  I opened my eyes as she devoured me.  We were surrounded in a pinkish hue.  Suddenly, immense pain shot through me, causing me to detach from her lips and scream out.

She opened her eyes, gasped at the sound, and finally saw the situation as I writhed in pain.  “Kagome…” I ground out as I pushed away from her and the pain stopped.  She sat up as I lowered my head while panting.

“Inuyasha, are you okay?” she asked as she reached for me.

“Don't touch me!” I exclaimed with a glare, and she slinked away shyly.  “I don't know what caused your aura to flare so I can not touch you.”

“Was I purifying you again?” she asked.

“Yes,” I replied as I stood and walked towards the door.

“Please don't leave me, Inuyasha,” she called behind me, causing me to stop.  “I know Koga isn't going to come after me now, but I need you with me.”

“How?” I asked as I turned towards her.  “I can't `be' with you, obviously!  Not how I want to be anyways.  I have to be careful around you now.  Something's not right here, and I need some time to think,” I stated as I then left her room and slid the door shut.

That was scary.  Just from being in that position, her energy began to purify me.  I wasn't doing anything to hurt her, or to cause her fear.  I am beginning to believe she has no control over her own energy.  Now, who could help her with that?

As those thoughts raced through my mind, I reached the tower again, where she lost consciousness just about an hour earlier.  The only time I can think of where I'd be safe in her embrace, would be on the moonless night.  Unfortunately, tonight is not that night.  “Damn it…”


(Kagome's POV)


What happened just now?  Why was he being purified?  I didn't mean to do it…; I wanted him more than anything.  Why would my energy suddenly purify him while kissing him?

I then decided to concentrate on my energy.  I closed my eyes and touched my energy.  I felt a wealth of power swell around me.  It was nearly overwhelming as I tried to understand it.  I then searched within myself to see where the energy was coming from.

Suddenly, I saw it, a ball of energy small enough to latch onto a chain.  I reached out to touch it, and even my hands were barred from the ball.  Knowing this, I looked clearly to see where this object was inside me.  Only thing was, all I could see was red surrounding it.  I stopped the search and stood from my bedding to find Inuyasha so that we could figure this out.

I went to the tower, knowing I could find him there.  When I reached the room, I saw him sitting against the wall with the farthest window open, the breeze blowing his gorgeous silver hair about.  When my presence caught his attention, he took a glance at me, and then looked out the window once again.

I sat down beside him and looked with him at the tree line.  “Inuyasha, I am really sorry.”

“I know it's not your fault.  I just can't touch you tonight.”

“I decided to search myself and I found something interesting,” I mentioned, catching his attention.

“What did you find?”

“I found a small ball of energy within me.  I tried to touch it, but it barred me from such an action.”

“A ball of energy?  What did it look like?” he asked with a look of curiosity in his eyes.

“Like…a jewel, a small pink jewel.”

“You're kidding!  Kagome, what you described is the very thing, which caused my life to fall to pieces!  The Shikon Jewel!” he exclaimed in shock. “Where in your body is it?” he asked, as he looked me directly in the eye.

“I don't know.  I tried to place it, but all I saw was red.”

“No organs?  No bones?” he was beginning to get weirder by the moment.

“No, just red…”

“Lay down,” he requested suddenly.  I laid on my back before him as he then leaned over me, reaching his hand out to sweep over my body without touching me.  I watched his eyes as he searched my body for the familiar aura.  This continued for a few moments when his hand stopped over my left side between my hip and my ribs.  “Right here.”

“What are we gonna do?” I asked as he shifted above me.

“It needs to be removed; otherwise, it could kill you.  You see, this is the reason you attract such beasts as you have.  Including me,” he replied as his eyes switched back to mine.

“You mean you don't truly…”

“I don't know yet.  I am attracted to the jewel, always have been.  I can't tell you whether or not I will still feel the need to be near you once it's removed,” he replied as he lifted my shirt and touched the skin beneath.

“So…do you plan to slash it out of me?” I asked shakily.

He looked at me with troubled eyes, “I don't have a choice.”

“What will we do with it?”

“You will hold onto it, protect it, and purify it.  That shall become your life's meaning from this point on,” he replied solemnly.

“How do you know this?” I asked as he sat down beside me, a sad expression on his face.

“This was the same fate bestowed upon Kikyo before I met her.  She was the guardian of the Shikon Jewel, and fate chose her, just as it has chosen you.  You see, you are truly Kikyo's reincarnation.  When she died, she was burned on a pyre with the jewel in her hands.  At first, when I realized who you were, I was hoping this wasn't the case.”

“Kagome, your life now belongs to that jewel.  You can never go back to the life you had before.  I'm sorry.” The tone in his voice caused me to feel tears coming as it hit me.  The look on his face, it was as if he was about to cry as well.

“Inuyasha, is there a way to get rid of the jewel?  To destroy it so it would not fall into the hands of evil?” I asked, hoping for a positive answer.

“There is one way.  However, it would come with a price.” He replied as his gaze shifted to the floor.

“What is it?”

He turned his eyes back to mine as he replied with, “A benevolent wish must be bestowed upon the jewel in order to purify it completely.”

“So, we should just wish on it for a good cause and it would be eliminated forever?”

“It's not that simple a wish, Kagome.  The only wish that could be made upon it could only be done by someone pure.”

“Then what should I wish for?”

“Not you, me.  It will only work if I wish to become human.  To turn myself from what I am into a pure being.  A sacrifice must be made in order for it to work.”

“But, are you even able to touch it?” I asked, gaining his full attention.

“Yes, but only just to hold it, `least for now.  If I were human, things would be different.  Kagome, one thing you need to know, is that since the jewel arrived back in this world in your body, you have the ability to harness that energy.  Only you can control it, however, not only you can wish upon it.  Once I remove it from your body, its energy will pour out for miles, calling every beast and demon to it.”

“What are we going to do then?  What will happen to me?” I asked in fear.

“You will become vulnerable and unprotected.  You will not be able to leave my side again.  Only I will be able to protect you once it's removed.  You see, right now you're aura protects it within your body.  But it will drain you of your life energy if you leave it within you.  Even now, you can't control it when I come near.  You see, as we were kissing, I believe my impure aura mixed with yours, causing the jewel to purify me against your will.”

“I see.  But, are you sure there's no other way to do this?”  I asked shakily.

“No.  Kagome, I don't want to hurt you, but I must,” he said as he then stood and said, “I'll get some supplies and then we'll handle this when I come back,” he said as he descended the stairs, leaving me to think about the feel of his claws slashing my side.

“Okay, there's nothing I can do about this.  I must accept this.  I must be strong,” I said aloud to calm myself down.


(Inuyasha's POV)


How could this be possible?  I never expected the jewel to turn up centuries after Kikyo's death.  Not only that, but within Kagome of all people.  This certainly explains why Koga has been so drawn to her.  Well, after tonight, she will attract no one.  The jewel itself on the other hand…

When I arrived in the kitchen, I walked in, opened the cabinet to the first aid supplies, and gathered everything necessary.  Once I had everything I needed on the counter, I looked at my right hand, at my claws.  Could I really slash her with my hand?  Can I really do this to her?  I shook those questions from my mind and carried the supplies to the tower.

When I arrived, I saw she hadn't really moved since I left.  I set the supplies down beside her, and laid a towel down and asked, “Are you ready?”

She turned around quietly, and looked to the towel I had placed behind her.  A moment later, she directed scared eyes my way, causing me to give her an empathetic look.  “You're going to use your claws?”

I swallowed loudly, blinked and said, “Yes.”

“But you don't want to, do you?” What's she doing?

“What difference does it make?  This has to be done one way or another.  We have no other choice.”

“I'm just worried about you because you said you're not here to hurt me,” damn…

“I know, but when you have no choice, promises have to be thrown out.  Kagome, I know this will hurt, but I'm here, all right?  I will take great care of removing the jewel.  I promise you that.  Please, trust me.”

Her breath got shaky as she lay down onto the towel and I lifted her shirt the expose the skin, then held up a tape-wrapped wooden dowel.  “Put this between your teeth, it'll stop you from biting your tongue.”  Once she took the dowel and clenched it between her jaws, I took my eyes from hers and concentrated on the area to pinpoint the spot to cut.

`It must be done, or Kagome will die.  Don't stop; get it out before she's poisoned.  I must save her…' went through my head as I closed my eyes for a moment to clear my heart.  A moment later, I opened my eyes and raised my hand above the spot.  I inhaled and let out a grunt as I swiped her abdomen, and she screamed out as the blood splattered.  As her moans sounded through her clenched jaw, I reached inside and grasped the ball of energy.

Sparks of purity shot through my hand up to my chest, causing me to grunt in absolute pain as I yanked it from her flesh, only to drop it on the floor, covered in blood from her wound.  As I held my shaking hand, she whimpered, her hands gripping the towel beneath her.  Once my hand regained its energy, I right away grabbed the antiseptic as well as the needle and thread to seal the wound.

Before I cleaned her wound, I knelt above her and kissed her forehead and cheeks gently while saying, “You did very well, Kagome.  I'm going to seal it up now…You'll be fine, okay?”  She nodded and took a couple deep breathes as I cleaned her wound.  

About ten minutes later, I cut the string and placed a bandage and poultice over the stitches.  I then looked to her face to see her eyes clenched shut and a tear falling down her cheek. As I wiped the tear away, her eyes opened slightly and I gave her a smile, hoping to calm her from the trauma.  I lifted the dowel from her mouth and asked, “Are you still in a lot of pain?”

“No, just tired now.  Thank you for saving me,” she said groggily.

“You're welcome.  You're tired because your body was so tense the whole time, so just relax,” I replied as I grabbed a rag, and then the jewel.  I dropped it in the bowl of hot water to remove the blood.  Once it was cleaned, I turned to Kagome and said, “I'm going to take you and the jewel to your room so you can rest.”

I set the bowl on her stomach, and once she had a hold of it, I lifted her into my arms and carried her to her room.  When I laid her down upon the futon, I grabbed the coverlet and draped it over her legs and sat down beside her.  She then reached into the bowl, gripped the jewel and turned it to see it.  I took the bowl from her chest and watched her as she examined the Shikon Jewel.

“So this is to become my life now,” she said rhetorically.  “The energy surrounding this jewel…It's not easy to hold, for even me.”

“It shoots pain from my hand to my chest when I hold it.”

“Then how will you wish upon it?”

“I must wait `til the next new moon to wish upon it.  The good part about this now, is I no longer have to avoid you.”

“That's true.  Do you still feel drawn to me?” she asked.

I sat and eyed her, and I searched my heart.  “Yes.  Only I'm drawn to you in a different way now.”

“How different?”

“I no longer feel the need to protect you as I did.  There's no desperation in my soul now.”

“How do you feel towards me now?” Damn!  I wish she'd quit asking these weird questions!

“I'm freer to feel towards you.”

“Do you feel love towards me?” now why did she have to ask that?!

“Love?”  Honestly, I don't know how to answer that one…

“Yes, love, Inuyasha.  Do you love me?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Because, I love you…”

Now there's a shocker for me.  I mean, yeah she ran to me when she needed someone the most, but…What did I do to gain her love?  I've been nothing but a pain in her ass!  And here she loves me?  “Why do you love me?  After all I've put you through…”

“I can't explain it, Inuyasha.  I have just come to fall for you.  Is that okay?”

Oh, now that's sweet…Well, I don't really have much of a choice, now that I'm watching over her.  “Yeah, it's okay.  It's just I haven't been close with anyone since Kikyo's death.”

“That's all right; I want to be with you.” She keeps surprising me here…

“All right.” She set the jewel down beside her and then reached for my hand to pull me close.

“Let's finish what we started,” she requested as our lips connected in a deep kiss, which I felt all over my body, and soul.

As we kissed, a need I hadn't felt in centuries swelled within my whole being.  I wanted to be one with her so bad, but with the wound I had inflicted on her not long ago, I couldn't do it.  I ended the kiss and said, “Let's wait, `least `til your wound is healed.  I wouldn't want to cause you any pain, no more than I've already caused you tonight.”

“Okay.  Will you stay here with me tonight?  Please?”

“Yes,” I replied as I slid under the coverlet beside her.  “I will hold you through the night to keep you comfortable.”

“Thank you, Inuyasha.”

Meanwhile, starting from within a mile of the mansion, demons awoke from their rest to feel an energy they hadn't felt in centuries, causing the skies over Japan to roar with unrest.  Once the sound hit Inuyasha's ear, it twitched as he gathered the woman beside him in his arms, a growl escaping his lips.

 

 

@*@

Wow, this chapter was very interesting to write, indeed. I can see this is going a very different direction than I anticipated. Now, the question I'm juggling with, is do I continue this fic since he figured out what was causing Kagome to have such a rough life? Or do I do an epilogue and a sequel? Let me know what you think, okay? Thanks again for your support, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. `Til then, ja ne!