InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Changing Heart ❯ Resolution ( Chapter 4 )

Change of Heart - Chapter 40 - Resolution

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

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A sunbeam woke Kagome up, casting a dull red glow on her eyes behind her eyelids. It was the same bed she'd woken up in the morning before: four-posted with heavy, cream-colored drapes, silky-soft white sheets, and the heavy feather duvet. She looked to her side to find someone half-collapsed on the high bed, half sitting in a plush chair, whose face was covered with a mop of tangled black hair. The figure was snoring softly. It took a moment to recognize the young woman's clothing (a tight green kimono). Sango. Of course.

By the way the birds were still chirping, Kagome knew that dawn had barely broken; maybe by an hour or a half. According to country standards, she'd slept in. Very, very carefully, so as not to rouse the rumbling young woman, Kagome slithered out of the bed and padded along the cool flagstone floor toward the window. Her assumptions had been correct: it was very early still. Her warm grey-brown eyes searched around the large room for something to wear, then settled on a wardrobe in the far corner. Perfect.

The secret to walking very very quietly is stepping only on the balls of the feet and controlling every slight movement with great care. The young country girl, having grown up in an old house with creaky wooden floors, had mastered this art long, long ago. What she couldn't control, however, was the creaking of the wardrobe door as she opened it. She winced and froze, hoping to all heavens that she'd perceived the sound louder than it actually was, but Sango did not wake. After a moment, confident that she was safe, she turned her attention back to the clothing inside the wardrobe.

She'd never seen such an assortment of fine clothes. Short-sleeved kimonos, each as heavy and silky as the next, came in every color imaginable, and each with a matching obi and cord. Fingering each one, considering, Kagome thought of how nice it would be to sew with silk instead of the rough homespun all her clothes had been made of. She finally chose a light green one, patterned with silver leaves and paired with a darker green and gold obi, but realized a problem: she didn't know how to dress in such a rich garment. Panicking, she frantically searched for something she was used to, a pair of hakama and a haori or a yakuta, maybe, to no avail. Whoever the wardrobe belongs to, Kagome decided, was decidedly very high in the social hierarchy. She looked tentatively down at the thin nightgown and silk sleeping kimono she was wearing, light blue and almost indecent to wear in public, but if no one was to see her anyway... She saw the bandages on her arms and felt the ones on her face. With a shudder, she realized that they needed changing, and that she needed to get out of there.

She opened the door and, not risking the sound of shutting it, left it open.

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Amazingly, she found herself alone in the castle hallways and corridors. She remembered her way to the entrance hall, the great oak doors...

Cool, dewy grass greeted her feet and crisp air filled her lungs as she made her way down the gravel road to the brass gates. When she'd trodden far enough, she escaped the shade of the castle walls and felt the warmth of the sun on her back and her hair. Then she began to run.

Kagome had blocked last night's events out of her head long enough. She couldn't take it any more. Images flooded into her mind again: red eyes, purple slashes, pure rage and hatred, sharp claws, and the feeling of pure terror. What had she done wrong? A cloud of dust rose around her as she fell to her knees, head in her hands, sobbing.

What Sango had said made no sense to her. Something about a curse that only she could help break... But how? 'How can you help someone who is so full of hatred and anger?' she thought. The girl fought to catch her breath when a shadow cast over her. Feeling a break in the warmth of the sun, she gasped and looked up.

A young man in dark purple and black robes stood before her, holding onto a tall golden staff whose rings jingled with his every movement. She saw the violet eyes and the fabric and beads covering his right hand and recognized him. The man who'd helped kidnap her. Miroku.

He extended his left hand to her, offering to help the poor girl up out of the dust and rocks. "Milady, how pleasant to see you this early in the morning. I trust you slept well?" No mention of the last evening's events. Kagome glared at him, ignored his hand, and stood up abruptly. "Judging by your state of dress, I presume that you are in a hurry, but perhaps I could convince you to stay and walk with me for a spell?"

Violet eyes bore into brown-grey ones. They were so calm, so solemn, that Kagome instantly forgot her desperation and confusion for a moment. "Alright, but just for a bit. I have to get back home."

Miroku nodded and began to walk along the path that led around the lake and to the gardens behind the castle.

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They had been following the stone path for several minutes - almost reaching the shade of the gardens - before Miroku spoke.

"I know that you are very upset about what happened last night, and rightly so. Such an experience would cause anyone to be terrified and fear for their safety. However," he paused and gently touched the beads on his right palm with his left index finger, "I believe that there are a few things you need to know to better understand what is happening, and what happened." He took a deep breath.

"Inuyasha, the man in the red clothes who attacked you last night, was born a hanyou. His father was the most powerful demon in the land who had fallen in love with and married a human woman. Shortly after his birth, the king was assassinated by a small group who opposed his marriage to a human, and the birth of their son. To this day, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older half brother, blames Inuyasha for their father's death. Growing up, Inuyasha resented being a half-demon and constantly wished to become a full one.

One year before he ascended the throne, six years ago today, a young woman by the name of Kikyou entered the kingdom, seeking refuge from the wild demons. Inuyasha had rescued her during one of his hunting trips and brought her back to the castle. They fell in love. What he didn't know was that Kikyou was the protector of an ancient jewel, the Shikon jewel, the one you saw in the tower last night. When Kikyou finally told him, she promised to present it to him on their wedding day, as a wedding gift, as well as the one wish that came with it, but he was forbidden to go near it until their marriage day. But... it was not to be."

They passed near a bench nestled at the edge of the forest's tree line, with a beautiful view of the lake. Miroku motioned for Kagome to sit, then took a seat next to her.

"I'm not quite sure what happened, but by what Sesshomaru has informed me, Inuyasha thinks he accidentally made a wish with the Shikon jewel. The jewel apparently senses the user's innermost desire and grants it; to Inuyasha, that desire was to be a full demon, like his father. However, in the process of transformation, Inuyasha killed his lover as well as his mother. He was out of control, much like how you saw him last night, and had no idea what he was doing.

"He spent four years in isolation, not speaking to anyone except his half-brother, Sesshomaru, who ruled in his place. It was only two years ago that he'd come to terms with his past enough to take his place at the throne. I have not seen him smile or laugh since he was with Kikyou. Then, six months ago, Kikyou somehow came back from the dead long enough to curse the castle and avenge her death. She gave me a kazaana, which is slowly growing every day and which will someday swallow me entirely. To Sango, the created a barrier around her younger brother Kohaku, who is now in a coma. Sango cannot even be in the same wing as Kohaku, now, or she is thrown far away. The children and other occupants of the castle are incapable of leaving the castle walls, and Inuyasha... Inuyasha was reverted into a hanyou again, with one night per month as a human and one night per month as a full demon. Last night was his demon night. Usually, we keep him locked in his tower as soon as the sun sets, but you had unfortunately found your way there.

"Kagome-sama, you must understand that our lives hang in the balance of your goodwill. We only have six more months until the jewel becomes completely corrupt and we fall victims to the curse's end. You are our only hope."

Kagome registered everything the young monk had told her and pondered about it for a few moments, mixing it in with the last few days' events…

"How do you know that? I'm just a normal country girl. Why should I even help you? You and your friend Sango kidnapped me from my home to his place, where I am attacked by the person I am supposed to help! - Listen. My mother is weak and my grandfather ... well ... you met him, and my little brother ... They all need me. I need to go back. "She got up from her seat and began to bow."Thank you for your time and hospitality. I'll be on my way, and best luck -"

She stopped when a hand tightened around her arm firmly.

"Please, Kagome-sama, I am but a lowly monk but I know true signs when I see them." His hand scratched the back of his head uneasily. "I have reasons to believe that you, and your spirit, are somehow connected to Kikyou. Only a miko of her power can do anything against this curse-"

"Oh please... me? A miko? Give me a bre-"

"You are the spitting image of Kikyou, and that is one possible explanation for why Inuyasha became so enraged last night. Think of what has happened to you in the last six years... Is there anything that seemed... unusual?" Kagome looked to the side and thought about it. "No matter. I know what I ask is much: six months of your time. But please understand that by doing this, you'd be saving an entire castle from a cruel fate."

"And my family?'

"We would allow you to visit them regularly and recompense them generously for your time."

"Every week?"

"Every two months."

"Every two weeks?"

"Every three weeks."

"Every two weeks, or I'm leaving, monk. And my family had better be well taken care of while I'm gone."

Miroku smiled broadly and took the young woman's hand in both of his.

"Agreed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Kagome-sama. Now, there is another question that I am compelled to pose. "His face got serious and his eyes pitiful and wanting."Would you-"

At that moment, however, an enormous boomerang sliced through the air mere millimeters above Miroku's head. Immediately, the man dropped Kagome's hand and patted his head innocently, looking around to see where the boomerang's owner was.

"HOSHI-SAMA! How DARE you molest our young guest you twisted, PERVERTED man! Get away from her!" Sango, in her red-and-green kimono, hopped up to catch her returning boomerang and jogged toward them. When she reached them, she slapped Miroku cleanly on the cheek, leaving a bright red mark, and grabbed Kagome's hand. "Come, please, Kagome-san, let us get away from this creep." Scowling, she dragged the country girl back through the palace gardens. When they had gotten out of Miroku's earshot, Sango relaxed. "Where did you go this morning, Kagome-san? You shouldn't be out of bed! And still in your nightclothes! Did Miroku -"

"No. I left ... for a walk. I met Miroku along the way."

"I see. Well, I guess a walk to clear your mind isn't a bad thing... Especially after..." She caught her tongue after she saw Kagome look away. "I'm sorry. Next time, if you please, wake me up so that we can dress you, and you don't go walking around the castle grounds undressed. Believe it or not, there are worse men than the hoshi around in the woods." At the sight of Kagome's smirk, Sango brightened as well. "Let's go see what the cooks are making in the kitchen. I'm starving!"

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Meanwhile, back at the bench....

Miroku rubbed his cheek and looked at the sky, lost in his own thoughts, and sighed.

He was SO misunderstood.

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And just behind the tree line, having heard Miroku and Kagome's conversation…

A young-looking figure leaned back against a tree, remembering the young woman's fiery spirit and lively eyes. Such liveliness, such passion… He wanted her. She must be his. Such a captivating female, human or no, and he was going to take her…

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Inuyasha paced in his study while his consort watched him from a chair near the desk.

"Are you sure she said she would stay? Even after what I - even after what happened?"

"It took a little convincing… a little bargaining, but her heart is completely pure: she would never leave those who need her."

Inuyasha paused and raised an eyebrow. "Bargaining?

Miroku damned his slip of speech. "Yes. I promised we would let her go visit her family once every two weeks."

"You WHAT???" Inuyasha was in front of the monk now, his muscles coiled to spring.

The monk raised his hands in innocence and to appease his lord. "Inuyasha-sama, her family is very important to her. We must NOT, at all costs, make her feel a prisoner here." With nervous gestures of his hands, he continued. "For that reason, I would like you to allow her to continue activities she would normally do at home here, at the castle."

"Like what? What do country girls do?"

Miroku shrugged. "I believe, milord, that perhaps you should speak to her about that."

Inuyasha looked away in shame, not allowing even his closest advisor to see his disheartened face. "She'll never forgive me for what I did."

"You may be surprised. Just remember: apologize, then stay calm and be the gentleman that is somewhere, hidden underneath all the roughness of your character." Inuyasha snarled, and Miroku looked up at the clock. "Oh dear, I am going to be late for my morning prayers. Please excuse my, milord." Inuyasha gave him a short nod, and the monk bowed and slipped out of the room.

`I can only hope… So… gentle, heh? Keh. I sure hope it's worth it.'

The prince looked out the window, where he'd seen her run away that morning. Even the most powerful evil demons could evoke no fear within him, but this girl…

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A/N: I hope you liked it. I'm sorry it's a bit shorter than the other chapters, and I'm sorry it took so long to put up, but here it is! It may take a few more weeks to get the next chapter up because of finals and such, but please bear with me!