InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Dreams ❯ Parting Ways ( Chapter 46 )

Broken Dreams

 

Chapter 46

 

Parting Ways

 

“We're going to try and track down Kouga and get the last two jewel shards.” Inuyasha told Raijin. “You can come along if you want.” Raijin shook his head and brushed some of the dirty brown bangs from his brown eyes. The three were gathered at the base of the mountains a few hours after Naraku's defeat. And Raijin was ready to depart from them.

“No, thank you. I'm actually going to visit Miss Naomi again. I would like to join her shrine to…atone. Maybe if I am devout enough the Kami will bestow a new purpose on me.” Raijin explained. Inuyasha inwardly sighed. Even human, Raijin hated his life. The hanyou had been cured on the poison seeping through his system, but at a price- Kagome's powers had not only purified the poison, but Raijin's youki itself. Raijin had expressed no discomfort over his fate, other then his occasional lack of concentration as he adapted to his new form.

“Raijin, what do you think your purpose is now?” Kagome asked impatiently. Raijin shrugged.

“I am not sure. When I served Naraku, my purpose was to kill. Now that he is gone, I find I no longer know what I am to do with my life, especially now that I'm human.” Kagome smiled and placed a hand on Raijin's shoulder.

“You don't know what to do with your life? Welcome to being human, Raijin.” She said. Raijin nodded and embraced her.

“Thank you, both of you. You've given me my own life. If you ever need anything, please, just seek my out, and I will do all in my power to help you.” He promised. Kagome stepped back and nodded.

“Good luck with Naomi.” She said. Raijin bowed one last time and walked into the forest. Kagome frowned. “Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself without a weapon?” She called. Raijin turned and shook his head.

“No.” He said simply. “But then, what if life if you are certain of things?” He asked with a slight smile. He turned and continued his journey. Inuyasha watched him go and smiled. Raijin was very much tempted to join them on their search for Kouga. But he had his own search now. It wasn't for something you can find lying around somewhere. Raijin's search would take years, possibly his whole life. But he'd keep searching until he found what he was looking for. Somehow, Raijin knew he'd find it. He knew because of the last thing he had searched for, just after betraying Naraku. The thing he had found in the hanyou and miko behind him.

Hope.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“Hope he comes to terms with himself. Just because Naraku made him doesn't mean he isn't his own person.” He said.

“Yeah. Naomi was nice to us though. I'm sure that with her, he'll come to terms with himself.” Kagome replied. “I'm more worried about Kouga at the moment.” Inuyasha nodded.

“Yeah. We'll find him, I don't care if I have to hunt him to the far corners of the earth. He'll pay for what he's done.” Inuyasha hung his head and sighed. “I'm sorry I couldn't have stopped him.” He muttered. Kagome slipped her hand into his and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

“Stop apologizing. I just want to find him.” She growled. “We're not too far from that hot spring we camped out before. I'd like to visit before we go looking for him. The last time we were there, I didn't exactly bathe that much…” Kagome trailed off and blushed, both of them remembering exactly why she hadn't done a lot of bathing. Inuyasha stepped in front of her and crouch down.

“Hop on.” He said. Kagome wrapped her hands around his neck and gasped as he stood upright, his claws grabbing her legs. Inuyasha sniffed the air and took off through the forest. Kagome winced and clenched her eyes shut. She had forgotten he ran so fast. Thank god for hanyou reflexes: Kagome really didn't want to end up hitting a tree. It was only a minute later that he screeched to a stop. He set Kagome down and smiled. “Here we are.” He said, smirking. Kagome glared at him and slapped his arm.

“You ran that fast on purpose, didn't you?” She snapped. Inuyasha stifled a chuckle.

“Hey, if your puny human senses were scared…” he stared.

“Oh I am so sick of that puny human crap!” Kagome yelled, lunging at him. Caught off guard the hanyou tumbled to the ground. Kagome sat up on him and grabbed his haori to yank him up to face her. “Puny? Who just got taken down by a human Mr. Hanyou?” Kagome teased. Inuyasha cleared his throat.

“Uh…Kagome…” He said nervously, looking both of them over. Kagome suddenly took in their situation. She had tackled the hanyou to the ground and was currently straddling him. “I hate to go to the gutter here, but…” Kagome bit her lip and climbed to her feet, pulling him up with her.

“Sorry. I didn't realize that…” Kagome said. Inuyasha nodded and hugged her.

“I know we've…you know, but it is kinda awkward, being so close to you. It's a little…weird.” Inuyasha nodded.

“I know…I don't mind it.” He said. He looked down and dipped his head to give Kagome a kiss. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and kept him pulled down as her lips gnawed against his. Inuyasha finally pulled away for breath and stared at her breathlessly. Kagome wasn't much better off.”

“Well…” She said breathily. “That was a little…”

“Disgusting.” Kagome's eyes widened to saucers. She spun around and swore she felt her blood freeze. Inuyasha growled and cracked his knuckles. Kouga just stood there glaring at the two of them, his face full of poorly masked hatred. “You.” He snarled. “I killed you.”

“Really? If I didn't know any better I'd think I was still alive.” Inuyasha shot back. Kouga sneered and turned his gaze on Kagome.

“Kagome, come here.” The youkai ordered. Kagome shook her head.

“No. I'm not going anywhere with you.” She muttered.

“I wasn't asking, that was an order from your mate, come here now!” Kouga growled.

“You never should have mated with her.” Inuyasha yelled. “You never finished the battle, Kouga. You have the kill the rival male to claim to female, and you didn't.” Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga and stepped in front of Kagome. Kouga sighed and looked away.

“That's true. I didn't.” He admitted. “I admit, I never truly killed you. That's one mistake I don't intend to make twice.” With a final snarl of rage, the youkai snapped out his claws and lunged.