InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Between Heaven and Hell ❯ Dividing Line ( Chapter 3 )

"Kagome?" she inquired with a shocked voice, taking the water basin and placing it on the floor. Kikyo patted her clothing, looking her over in concern. "What happened to you? Are you alright?" Kikyo asked, bombarding her with questions.

Laughing sheepishly, Kagome smiled. "Oh, yes, I'm fine. I only fell into the water," she reassured her. "I just lost my balance... Sorry, I shouldn't be so clumsy."

Kikyo sighed. "Clumsy; that's about right..." she agreed resignedly. "Well, I'm glad you're alright." Picking the wooden bucket up, Kikyo headed for the small hut, pausing at the entrance. "You should go change your clothes, Kagome. You'll catch a cold if you wear that wet kimono," Kikyo advised her over her shoulder before disappearing behind the curtain.

.:.:.:.:.:.

Stripping herself of her wet clothing, Kagome replaced them with a spare set. Upon dressing herself, she twisted her damp hair quickly and secured it with a hairpin to dry.

She exited her room, proceeding down the hall toward the front entrance. As she stepped outside, Kagome looked up at the bright orange sky and shaded her eyes with her hand. It was becoming late, but it was still sunset.

Looking in the direction, opposite the side of the village, Kagome wondered how late Kikyo would be returning this time. She sighed.

Kikyo was working very hard for everyone, and Kagome wasn't sure when the last time was that Kikyo had been given a good break. Even so, Kagome was proud of her sister. Kikyo did her best in every task she was given, carrying it out with a good heart; at least, she would put on a good face for everyone.

Kagome admired her sister in everything she did. That was why she would try and do her very best as well. Her lips tightened with determination.

"Kagome-chan," beckoned a worn voice. It was strained yet gentle; a voice that was aged. Kagome turned in recognition.

"Yes, Susumu-ue?" Kagome answered with a smile, turning to face the elder. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Susumu sighed gratefully. "Yes, I am afraid I am having trouble with the teapot,[Author ID1: at Fri May 15 13:27:00 2009 ] again," the old woman chuckled, motioning towards her modest home.

After stepping over the threshold of Susumu's house, the elder female led Kagome towards the adjoining room. Quickly locating the clay teapot, Kagome assumed the familiar routine. "I apologize for all this trouble I cause you, Kagome-chan. I am just getting too old for even the simplest of things."

Kagome smiled, "Oh, it's no trouble! I don't mind doing this at all."

The older woman patted the girl's back thoughtfully. "Such a sweet girl. It's no wonder that you and Kikyo are sisters," Susumu chuckled quietly.

Secretly, Kagome was inwardly beaming at the compliment. She turned to smile at Susumu, teeming with glee.

Returning her attentions back to the small teapot, Kagome resumed her task. "You can go ahead and sit down if you like, ue-sama," Kagome said as she began to fix the tea. With a nod of appreciation, Susumu returned to the small sitting area.

Kagome brewed the tea deftly, knowing well how to make it and what to do. She had assisted Susumu many times before, and helping her with this had virtually become like daily routine. Of course not every day, but Susumu was often home unaccompanied, so Kagome would assist the lonely old woman while the rest of her family members were out. Susumu's husband was usually away in the afternoon, as well as their grandson Ichirou, who belonged to the group of taijiya.

Ichirou had not joined the others in the last extermination, but from what Kagome had heard, he was a very accomplished demon-slayer. Ichirou was only a few years older then she. He was one of the younger taijiya, yet one of their group's finest. A strange fact, Kagome thought. Perhaps he was born with natural talent, just like Kikyo.

In her musing, Kagome had hardly noticed the arrival of new company inside the home. Curious as to whom their guest was, Kagome strained her ears to listen to the muted conversation from the other room.

"...be alright, dear. After all, they are in Kikyo-san's care. I am sure they will recover," assured the gentle voice of Susumu.

"That's not the issue!" a male shouted in response. Wincing as she heard the sound of a low bang against the table, Kagome presumed that their guest was none other than Ichirou. Though kind and gentlemanly, he was known to have quite the temper. Kagome listened in silence as Susumu's voice became even softer than before, if that were even possible.

"Ichirou..."

There was a gentle shuffling in the room as he answered. "I... I'm sorry... It's just..." He sighed in frustration. "I know my comrades will be fine, but, every time I look at them all mangled and broken like that..." Ichirou's voice drifted off in reminiscence. After a moment, she heard him hit the table again with a fist. "I can't help but get angry! I could have been out there helping them! Maybe then, some of my friends wouldn't be dead."

"Ichirou, it can't be helped. What's past, is past," the grandmother soothed gently.

The boy did not seem to have taken her words to heart. "Those damn youkai! It's those damn youkai!" he yelled, rage and distress evident in his voice.

Kagome became completely still, shocked by his angry, yet simple words. Such was the intensity of his fury, Kagome felt as if the words were directed at her, piercing through the walls towards her like a blade. Though frightened by the intense turn this exchange was taking, she could not help but listen to what he had to say.

"They're no good! All they do is slaughter and take innocent lives, damn it! They have no heart, no compassion; no sense of mercy! They'd be better off dead," Ichirou fumed, banging on the table for the third time.

"Ichirou, you should not say such things." This time, Susumu's voice rose at her grandson's bold statement. It held warning in it, firm and rebuking.

However Ichirou continued, yet this time, with a calmer tone. "Why shouldn't I? All we hold is hate for them; no one wants them here," he spat bitterly. "They only bring about pain and suffering in this world. I know you're thinking it too; everyone is."

Kagome was surprised when Susumu did not respond. She had expected the woman to say at least something, but she never did. It was as if she were sitting in silent surrender; in obliquely expressed agreement.

In her shock, Kagome nearly missed his last, solitary statement.

"They should just go to hell where they belong."

Kagome heard him move again, this time, standing up. Panicking as she heard him move towards the room she was occupying, she impulsively touched the hot teapot, in effort to appear as if she were busy with something.

"Ah!" Kagome shrieked as she pulled her hand away from the burning heat. Quickly shaking the tingling feeling off, she reached for the tray.

"Oh, Kagome," Ichirou spoke in surprise. "I... didn't know you were here..." His voice lowered, in realization that she must have overheard.

Kagome laughed nervously, placing a couple cups onto the tray clumsily as she tried to gather herself. "Oh, um, yes - I was here," she stuttered, trying to keep a smile on her face. "I was making some tea for your grandmother, and I didn't realize you were coming home any time soon," Kagome babbled on, taking the teapot and placing it on the tray, this time, being careful of the heat.

"Well, I got two cups, in case you wanted some tea, Ichirou," Kagome offered as she picked the set up and began carrying it to the next room.

"I'm sorry you heard that, Kagome," Ichirou apologized quietly as she passed in front of him. Kagome stopped hesitantly, turning slowly to look at the taijiya. His apology had been completely sincere; his face proved it. The moment became quickly uncomfortable, causing Kagome to turn away, laughing as cover.

"Oh, no, it's not your fault; I shouldn't have been listening in the first place... I'm sorry - really, I am." Kagome glanced at him once with a shaken grin before placing the tray on the table.

"Sorry this took so long, Susumu-ue. Here it is!" Kagome announced as cheerfully as she could manage, hoping to hide her utter mortification. In a hurry to depart from the adverse circumstances, she bid her farewell. Kagome headed for the exit.

"Well, it's getting a little late, so, I'll be going now! I'll see you tomorrow!" she said as she reached the doorway.

Not even bothering to wait for a reply, Kagome slipped out the door, making her way towards home as quickly as possible.

Walking in silence, Kagome held her body reflexively as she shielded herself from the chilly solitude of dusk. The air outside felt colder than it had before; Kagome was thankful that the distance from their house to hers was a short one.

After she passed the doorway, she sighed with relief. Making her way to her room, Kagome began undoing her kimono. Stripping completely once inside, Kagome searched the dark room for her night clothes. Her effort was half-hearted, her mind having been heavily overwhelmed with Ichirou's harsh outlook. His words resonated in her mind, forcing her to reflect on the subject she knew she should have contemplated far earlier.

Was it right to be in such close contact with Sesshomaru? More broadly, a youkai?

Kagome shook the proposal from her mind, laughing lightly for a moment.

This entire ordeal concerning the daiyoukai had all been by accident, after all; by chance, unwonted coincidence, a mistake. The next meeting would be the last, she concluded. She was sure of it.

Besides, what would a great youkai like Sesshomaru want to hang around her for? Kagome sighed as she pulled her clothes over her head. She was probably annoying to him, after all her pestering and pleadings. First, his wound and then his clothes. What next? Dinner?

Maybe youkai were really meant to be alone. Maybe her motivations to help him were misplaced. To change a stony and bitter heart; perhaps that theory did not apply to youkai.

Were all youkai heartless, as everyone thought they were? Were all youkai bad?

Kagome would rather think otherwise, yet deep down, she knew the custom institution of her race's belief was engrained inside every boy and every girl. Every man, woman; every parent, child - old, young.

Youkai were cold-blooded slaughterers. They were hated, and not to be trusted; a race that was simply evil.

Kagome shook her head as she laid down on the futon, pulling the covers over herself. So, should she hate them too? Like everyone else?

From what she knew, they were right.

All she had been exposed to of youkai was their constant haphazard attacks, rapes, murders and chaos that had become synonymous with them.

So if that were the case, wouldn't `hate' then be justified?

Kagome groaned, covering her face with the sheets.

Why did she even have to ask? Of course youkai were vile creatures.

Was it because of Sesshomaru? Was it because she wanted to justify not the `[Author ID1: at Fri May 22 11:56:00 2009 ]hate,'[Author ID1: at Fri May 22 11:56:00 2009 ] but the small desire to see him?

Kagome's eyes widened, resurfacing from underneath the sheets.

I want to... see him...?

She sat up, looking out her window at the starry night sky. Rubbing her arms, Kagome tried to chase away the cold. She admitted it, albeit sheepishly, that she was attracted to him, but that was not why she wanted to see him.

Somewhere, perhaps way deep down, she believed he was truly a good person.

There was something about him that whispered something to her. Possibly, just maybe, she was right on her theory. Sesshomaru, the great and beautiful daiyoukai, the deadly yet good-hearted (if that were even true) killer,

was lonely.

Kagome lay back down onto her futon, staring up at the ceiling wearily.

What good would that do anyways to know that? If he really were as cruel and blithe as he tried to depict, he himself probably didn't even know he was lonely. She really was over-thinking this.

Plus, even if he was lonely, she wouldn't be able to continue seeing him.

First of all, she had already agreed the next time would be the last meeting. Second of all, Kikyo would most likely not approve; much less the other villagers. Third of all, she believed she vexed the daiyoukai greatly. And fourth, he probably wanted nothing to do with her; why in the world would he agree to see her anyway?

The concept was completely illogical and entirely out of the question - simple as that.

Forcing him out of her mind, Kagome attempted to fall asleep. It was only then did she realize that she was quivering.

Sighing, Kagome got up, intending to find her sister. She fumbled in the dark as she moved down the dim hallways to Kikyo's room, experimenting with each step before she took another.

When she entered Kikyo's room, she crawled up beside her futon. Kikyo stirred.

"... Kagome...?" she mumbled as she rubbed her face lightly.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Kikyo," Kagome first apologized in a lowered voice before asking, "Can I sleep with you? It's cold..." Yawning, Kikyo complied, scooting over to the other side of her futon to make room for her shivering sibling. Kagome settled herself in as her sister pulled the cover over the both of them.

"Good night, Kikyo," Kagome said quietly when they were both situated.

"Good night," she replied.

The room felt peaceful; the only sounds were the delicate chirping of the nocturnal crickets outside. Kagome lie awake for a few minutes, listening quietly to their song. She waited a bit before asking, "Kikyo?"

"... Yes?"

"Can I ask you something? It's a little random," she said, fingering the sheets absentmindedly.

"Mm?" Kikyo waited silently for her.

"Do..." Kagome began nervously. "Do you hate youkai?"

Kikyo opened her eyes, surprised by the unexpected question, despite the fact that her sister had already warned her.

"... Why?"

Kagome turned her head as she heard the newfound quietness in Kikyo's voice. She curled her hand into a small fist. Kikyo was silent for a while, either unsure of the answer or deciding on the right thing to say.

"Oh well, never mind," Kagome laughed it off quickly, guessing it was probably best not to ask such a question in the middle of the night. "It was a weird question anyways." Kagome turned on her side, yawning as she closed her eyes. "Good night, then."

Kikyo returned the gesture almost inaudibly, her voice mellow. She turned onto her side as well, listening to Kagome's soft breaths filling the still night air. She stared silently into blank space.

.:.:.:.:.:.

Thanks for reading! I'll try to have chapter 4 ready as soon as I can since this one probably wasn't too satisfying. Anyways, leave a review!