InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Consciousness ❯ Seeking ( Chapter 13 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Inuyoukaimama 
Kagome and Inuyasha make a trip to Bokuseno. Inuyasha is faced with toubling information. What is he keeping from Kagome?
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.14.2005 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 420 | Status: Work In Progress
Kagome and Inuyasha make a trip to Bokuseno. Inuyasha is faced with toubling information. What is he keeping from Kagome?
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.14.2005 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 420 | Status: Work In Progress
Seeking
Sun streamed across the room, glinting off the silver streak in Kagome’s hair. Inuyasha laid quietly waiting for her to wake up. His eyes half lidded, hints of red glinting in his eyes. A low growl rumbled in his chest. His youkai was content with her wrapped securely in his arms.
He knew he had to make a decision, talk to her, before his bastard brother interfered. When he felt Kagome stir, he made a decision. They needed some answers, together.
“Kagome?”
“hmmm?” she said, looking over her shoulder into his eyes.
A small smile lit her lips as she looked at him. The sun fell across his shoulder, shadowing his face. His eyes were darker than usual.
“I want to go somewhere today”
“Where?” she asked, curiosity evident in her face
“It don’t matter. Just get dressed for travel” he said. Slipping out of the bed, he headed toward the door. “I have to talk to Sesshomaru, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Nodding her head, Kagome’s feet hit the floor. She headed toward the armoire gathering up the clothes that Sesshomaru had given her the night before. ‘He said get ready for travel’ she thought, better she be ready for anything.
Heading for the bath, she stopped at Sango’s room. Knocking softly, “Sango, I’m headed to the bath.”
Kagome smiled as she heard Sango’s feet hit the floor and a loud groan.
Sinking into the hot water of the bath, she waited for Sango to make an appearance.
Sango came in, dropping her clothes on the bench, she joined Kagome in the bath. “You’re up early” she said yawning.
“Yeah, Inuyasha wants to go somewhere today” She blushed
“Did he say where?” she asked with a grin
“Nope, he told me it didn’t matter, that I needed to be dressed to travel.”
“I saw you’re new fire rat clothing, I take it you are wearing it today?”
“Yeah, I figure it is better to be ready for anything. It also gives me a chance to see how it is going to fit for travel, if we’re traveling alone, I suspect I won’t be walking much” she giggled
The girls finished washing their hair and headed for the low steps of the bath. Kagome sighed as she picked up a warm towel. “I think I’m in love with this bath!” she said as both girls stood on the warm floor drying off. Kagome and Sango both wrapped their hair in towels as they got dressed.
Kagome slipped into the soft warm fire rat kimono. Snug red tights covered her legs from below the knee to low on her hips. She slipped on the silver hakama and silver undershirt, wrapping the haori around her shoulders she began tying the bindings together.
Sango sat on the edge of the bench, watching Kagome with interest. She was amazed at the clothing. They seemed to be made for her. The young girl who had fallen through the well, traveled with them, fought with them, battled Naraku, the shy, innocent girl disappeared in the folds of cloth. Left standing behind was a woman. A demon’s woman. A powerful miko. Honored and feared, protected and loved, protector, lover, warrior. Tears edged into her eyes. Part of her hated the fact that Kagome had come here so innocent and had lost that innocence here. The other part of her was a proud warrior, a Taijiya who was proud of her sister, proud of her comrade in arms.
Kagome turned to look at Sango as she let her hair down out of the towel. “What’s wrong Sango?”
“I’m proud of you Kagome” she said with a smile coming to her lips.
“Thanks Sango, that means the world to me” she said softly.
“Here, let me tie your hair for you” Sango reached out and plucked the silver and red ribbons from her friends hands. Pulling a comb through Kagome’s hair, she wove the strands together with the ribbons so silver and red was streaked through her dark hair. Sango left her silver locks to float free along the right side of Kagome’s face.
“Thanks Sango” she smiled and started gathering their stuff as Sango dressed.
“Be careful today” she said softly as Kagome headed in search of Inuyasha.
“I will Sango, I will”
*****
“Sesshomaru, I am taking Kagome out today” Inuyasha stated loudly.
He had walked into the study, Sesshomaru had not even raised his head in acknowledgement. Inuyasha stood there, impatiently waiting for some response from the ice king.
“hmm” Sesshomaru murmured. He did not raise his head from the papers he was working on.
“Well?” Inuyasha growled
Sighing, Sesshomaru looked at the impatient hanyou. He knew Inuyasha was waiting for something. He just wasn’t sure what had the half breed so riled up this morning.
“Inuyasha. Is there something else I can do for you this morning?” he asked coldly
“We may not come back tonight” Inuyasha blushed deep red
“Really?” Sesshomaru sneered
“Look bastard, I just want to make sure that you don’t come looking for us. Don’t let that pervert monk come looking either” he growled
“Just where are you going? At what point should I be worried about the Miko?” He asked
“What? Kagome? She ain’t yours to worry about” he growled
In a flash Sesshomaru was in Inuyasha’s face. “I don’t think you understand. Kagome is mine to worry about. If that prophecy holds true, she is the key to our race. Don’t think for an instant I will let her be in your protection alone!” he snarled back at the hanyou. “You can’t be trusted to protect your own ass, let alone the Miko”
“Mine” he growled back, eye flashing “don’t forget that bastard” Inuyasha spun on his heel to leave, as he reached for the door, Sesshomaru was standing in front of him again.
“When?” he demanded
“By tomorrow afternoon. Now get the hell out of my way!” he snarled
Jerking the door open, Inuyasha stormed out. As he stormed into the foyer, he bellowed “Kagome!”
Kagome came dashing in out of the dining hall to see what the ruckus was, she had heard the door slam.
“Now! Let’s go!” he barked
Looking startled, Kagome walked over toward Inuyasha. Looking over at him, she could see the set in his face, she could feel the anger radiating off of him.
“Inuyasha?” she asked
He reached out and grabbed her hand, jerking her roughly behind him. He pulled her out the door and pulled her up on his back. Without saying a word, he headed East.
They traveled for more than two hours before he slowed down and started to relax. Kagome could feel the tension in his muscles. She could feel the angry heat radiating off of him. As she felt some of it dissipate she cautiously leaned forward to look at his face. He twisted his head slightly to the right and looked at her face.
“What?” he growled low
“Nothing” she answered simply, smiling and settling back against him.
Silence reigned for another hour of travel before he started heading down toward a stream.
“Do you wanna stop?” he growled
“I could use a few minutes” she answered
As he slid to a stop, he shifted her back to the ground, he stalked to the river to wash his hands. Standing at the waters edge with water dripping off his hands, he stared at the water.
As Kagome came back out of the trees, she stopped, watching him. He seemed tenser than normal. She had heard the growling in the Library, but, wasn’t able to make out what was being said. She knew that he was arguing with Sesshomaru.
Standing on the bank, Inuyasha’s mind was in a whirlwind. He knew that Sesshomaru did not make idle threats. He knew he had to talk to Bokuseno, had to find out if what his brother showed him was the truth. He also had to find a way to convince Kagome to stay with him. Before he revealed the prophecy to her. He did not want to be bound to her out of duty. So caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t hear Kagome approach him. He jumped as she hesitantly touched his ears.
“Hey” she murmured
“You wanna eat something? Or you ready to go?” he asked
“Well, it would help if I knew where we were going”
“Would it matter?” he asked
“Nope, not really” she sighed “I’d still like to know where we are going?”
“Bokuseno” he said simply
“Oh? Why?”
“No more questions” he growled “let’s go”
Pulling her back up he headed off again.
Traveling until well into the early afternoon without stopping, Inuyasha was please when he saw the tree line come into view. They were there.
He landed on the ground and let Kagome slip from his back. He lead her to a small outcropping of rocks from a cave, at the edge of the clearing he’d landed in.
“We’ll set up camp here” he said
“Ok” Kagome dropped her small pack, and started pulling things out of the bag. “you hungry?”
“Yeah, I’ll be back in a minute with some wood and water” he headed toward the tree line.
As Kagome spread out their supplies and found rocks around camp to build a fire ring, she realized just how much she enjoyed Sango and Miroku and Shippo traveling with them. She didn’t realize how hard it was to be with him when he was silent like this.
Kagome had just finished setting up their camp when Inuyasha returned, a pan of water in one hand, a load of firewood in another. She could also see a rabbit, skinned, hanging off his arm.
He dropped the firewood next to the pit and jumped into a tree to pull down some dead smaller branches. He handed the rabbit and sticks to Kagome, then turned his attention toward building a fire.
“Let’s eat, then we will go visit with Bokuseno, ok?” he asked gruffly.
“Ok, I’ll have the rabbit ready to start cooking in a moment. Do you want rabbit or ramen?” she asked
“Both”
Laughing, she dug into the pack for Ramen and pulled out a couple of cups. “That actually sounds good” she giggled
Inuyasha stopped and looked at her as she giggled. ‘she is so beautiful’ he thought to himself. The late afternoon sunlight was glinting off the silver stripe in her hair, catching the silver threads in her clothes. His breath caught in his throat. As Kagome turned to look at him, a blush crept up his face as he was caught staring at her.
Kagome just smiled and went back to working on the rabbit. She couldn’t begin to guess what was wrong with him. He had been so strange lately. She was certain that it had something to do with the prophecy. ‘yeah, the prophecy that no one will let you look at or see’ she thought grimly.
Kagome was suspecting that there was something in there she wasn’t going to like, something that everyone was keeping from her. She just didn’t know how to get the information from them. She had tried corning Miroku, Shippo had not found out anything. She really didn’t expect him to, she knew he got sidetracked with Rin. Sango and Kagura were always with her during the day, when Kanna, Miroku, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were sequestered in the library.
As she finished preparing the rabbit, she turned to find that Inuyasha had a good fire going. Heading toward the fire, she could tell he was brooding about something again. She suspended the rabbit from the makeshift spit and set the pan of water on the rocks just inside the fire pit to start the water boiling. Turning in her squatting position, she kneeled in front of Inuyasha
“Inuyasha?” she asked “Inuyasha are you ok?”
“hmmm” he looked down at her “nothing, everything, yeah, sure I’m fine” he was absent minded as he answered her.
“You still seem upset” she said
“I’ll be ok. I’m still dwelling on some things, that’s all”
“What did you and Sesshomaru argue about” she asked. Inuyasha stiffened as she asked this.
“You” he said simply. He knew she wasn’t going to leave it alone. He figured he better give her something to chew on, before she drove him insane.
“Your water is boiling Kagome”
“What? Oh!” she turned and rolled the rabbit on the spit and pulled the water from the fire.
Pouring water into three cups of Ramen she handed two to Inuyasha. When he eyed the third cup, she glared at him. “That is for me mister! Don’t even think about touching it!”
He shrugged and waited until the Ramen was ready to eat. Watching Kagome from under his lashes as she moved about the fire, tending it, pulling the rabbit off and stripping it off the stick. He reached out with a claw and sliced off a hunk from it before she could even set it down.
They ate in silence. Silence seemed to be a prevalent theme between them lately, Kagome noted with a snort. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her when she snorted.
He got up and banked the fire after they had eaten. “I’ll be right back” he headed into the woods again. Kagome sighed and stored away their stuff in the bag, while she waited for him to come back.
Inuyasha was back in minutes, another load of firewood in his arms. He dropped the wood a little ways away from the fire pit. Looking at Kagome, he reached out a hand. “Come on”
He led her toward Bokuseno as the sun was sliding into the west.
*****
“Oi! Bokuseno!” Inuyasha called out as they entered the grove of trees where he was.
The old gnarled tree waved slowly in the evening breeze. The leaves rustled as he slowly shifted his attention to the hanyou.
“Good to see you again, Inuyasha” he said slowly.
Bokuseno was not looking at him, he was looking at the Priestess behind Inuyasha. Bokuseno felt ancient memories come flooding back. He could clearly see the magic that bound the two, he could also see the magic that was her. He remembered when those clothes were made, they were made to protect and guard the miko of the prophecy.
Looking back at Inuyasha, “What brings you to me?”
“Answers” Inuyasha stated simply
“And the beautiful Miko? Why do you bring her to me Inuyasha?”
“So you know?” he asked gruffly
“Of course, remember, I have forgotten more than you will ever gain in your life young master”
“Feh, whatever”
“So, the beautiful Miko carries my bow, does she?” he asked slowly.
“The bow is made from you Bokuseno. It is beautiful. I thank you for this” Kagome said, bowing her head slightly
“Ah, use it wisely little one. The clothing fit you perfectly” he responded
Inuyasha sat back and waited, he wasn’t patient by nature, but, he knew that he needed to talk to Bokuseno alone.
“My little one, you are the shining example of what those were made for” he looked at Kagome, he knew, he knew what she was here for, why she had been allowed to travel time, to come back here.
“Thank you” a blush crept up her cheeks. She always felt inadequate in the presence of one as old and wise as Bokuseno.
“Midoriko did this to you. She holds an incredible power. Only rivaled by one”
Inuyasha’s ears twitched at this. He knew that Bokuseno was waiting to share something with him. He never ceased to be amazed by what the old spirit knew. It seemed that he understood that there were things he wanted to discuss in private.
“Yes, she did.” she blushed again. “Bokuseno, what do you know of the prophecy?” she asked
“Well, little one, I believe that is information best given by someone else” he answered sagely.
Kagome sighed. She had hoped to gather information herself, when she learned that they were traveling here.
“Allow me to share this with you, little one, trust in the one who holds your heart. You will be best served to always remember that no matter what you see, trust in your heart”
“I will” she said “What is to come? What is the darkness that has the palace in an uproar?” trying another tactic to gather the information she wanted..
“Ah, little one, there is a battle brewing. Naraku was simply a pawn. This is something more sinister” he yawned. “Something that we have been waiting for, for many generations.”
“Why am I here?” she asked.
“The generations could not wait any longer”
Once again, she was thwarted in her attempts to gather information.
“My little one?” he queried “would you excuse me and the pup for a while? I believe he is here for something”
Looking at Inuyasha, Kagome knew that he had been waiting to ask something. “Inuyasha?”
“Please Kagome?” he looked at her, something shadowed in his eyes
“Sure, I’ll just go for a walk”
“Stay within shouting distance!” he ordered as she started off.
“I will” she waved over her shoulder at both of them.
*****
“Well, young master, you’re here for a reason”
“Yeah” Inuyasha responded
“Well? What can I do for you?” he asked quietly
“She’s the one, isn’t she?” he asked, tone low to ensure she couldn’t hear them
“The one? Which one would that be Inuyasha?” he chuckled
“The one from the prophecy” he growled
“Of course. Is there more?”
Bokuseno looked at Inuyasha. He knew there was more than that one simple question.
“What about the other thing?” he asked, a blush stealing across his face
“The other thing? Do you mean is she the one for you, young master?”
“Yeah” he choked out
“Do you want to know what the fates think? What destiny has in store? What she thinks?”
“huh?”
“She is the one from the prophecy, of course the fates intend for her to be the one for you. She loves you” he answered simply. “What of you though, young master?”
“She is what I want” he replied “She is the only thing that keeps me moving forward”
“Why do you hesitate?” he asked
“I want this to be because she wants to be with me”
“So you withhold the prophecy from her, for this?” he sighed “Do you not think maybe she should be the one to decide?”
“If she stays here, she will lose her ability to travel back to her time”
“And yet, you hide this from her?”
“I don’t know how to tell her” he said
“Young master, try being open with her” he said “You don’t know how she will respond until you try”
“Is there a way for me to keep her safe? How do I protect her, if she stays here?”
“That is what you do, that is who you are” Bokuseno sighed “Trust in yourself”
“I’m afraid I will hurt her”
“Ah, young master, as long as you hold her in your heart, you will not hurt her”
Inuyasha sighed and looked up toward the night sky.
“You should seek her out, talk to her, while you are alone” Bokuseno said “Your brother will not be patient, he will see the unclaimed Miko as vulnerable and susceptible to the dangers coming”
“I know. He has already started threatening.”
“Well, young master? Why are you here with me? You should be with her”
“One more thing, what is it?”
“Ah, the darkness. It is an ancient evil. The restlessness of the gods created it. It is sorrow, angst, regret, hate.” he sighed “It is a power that seeks to consume all things. Demons who hold hate and sorrow in their heart are prey to it. Do you know any demon that does not hold sorrow in their heart?”
Inuyasha blinked at him. A demon that does not hold sorrow? Even young Shippo held sorrow. “So he feds off of us?”
“We don’t know that it is a he, Inuyasha” Bokuseno replied
Inuyasha stared at him for another moment. He had not considered that a darkness could be created of a female spirit. Maybe one that held more hate and sorrow than they could imagine.
“You have already been touched by it, young master”
“What! When?” he demanded
“During your final battle with Naraku” Inuyasha closed his eyes at this. Thinking back over the battle. He could only vaguely remember a feeling of desperation, darkness swirling around him.
“That is the darkness? That thing that tried to get to me, when Kagura had Kagome?”
“I don’t know at what point. But, I did feel it, I feel it now”
“Why doesn’t Sesshomaru sense it?”
“He doesn’t know what it is. He was to young to remember when your father first started looking for it”
“Go on young master, find your love, leave this old spirit to his rest” Bokuseno closed his eyes, signaling to Inuyasha that the conversation was over.
Sorry for the time between updates. Between computer problems and work, I haven’t had time. Hopefully I’ll be back on track now. For those enjoying this story, Thanks for your patience!
OK: Disclaimer again!
I don’t own Inuyasha, it’s characters or it’s story line
That sole joy belongs to Rumiko Takahashi
I’ll let you know who I own as we go!
Sun streamed across the room, glinting off the silver streak in Kagome’s hair. Inuyasha laid quietly waiting for her to wake up. His eyes half lidded, hints of red glinting in his eyes. A low growl rumbled in his chest. His youkai was content with her wrapped securely in his arms.
He knew he had to make a decision, talk to her, before his bastard brother interfered. When he felt Kagome stir, he made a decision. They needed some answers, together.
“Kagome?”
“hmmm?” she said, looking over her shoulder into his eyes.
A small smile lit her lips as she looked at him. The sun fell across his shoulder, shadowing his face. His eyes were darker than usual.
“I want to go somewhere today”
“Where?” she asked, curiosity evident in her face
“It don’t matter. Just get dressed for travel” he said. Slipping out of the bed, he headed toward the door. “I have to talk to Sesshomaru, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Nodding her head, Kagome’s feet hit the floor. She headed toward the armoire gathering up the clothes that Sesshomaru had given her the night before. ‘He said get ready for travel’ she thought, better she be ready for anything.
Heading for the bath, she stopped at Sango’s room. Knocking softly, “Sango, I’m headed to the bath.”
Kagome smiled as she heard Sango’s feet hit the floor and a loud groan.
Sinking into the hot water of the bath, she waited for Sango to make an appearance.
Sango came in, dropping her clothes on the bench, she joined Kagome in the bath. “You’re up early” she said yawning.
“Yeah, Inuyasha wants to go somewhere today” She blushed
“Did he say where?” she asked with a grin
“Nope, he told me it didn’t matter, that I needed to be dressed to travel.”
“I saw you’re new fire rat clothing, I take it you are wearing it today?”
“Yeah, I figure it is better to be ready for anything. It also gives me a chance to see how it is going to fit for travel, if we’re traveling alone, I suspect I won’t be walking much” she giggled
The girls finished washing their hair and headed for the low steps of the bath. Kagome sighed as she picked up a warm towel. “I think I’m in love with this bath!” she said as both girls stood on the warm floor drying off. Kagome and Sango both wrapped their hair in towels as they got dressed.
Kagome slipped into the soft warm fire rat kimono. Snug red tights covered her legs from below the knee to low on her hips. She slipped on the silver hakama and silver undershirt, wrapping the haori around her shoulders she began tying the bindings together.
Sango sat on the edge of the bench, watching Kagome with interest. She was amazed at the clothing. They seemed to be made for her. The young girl who had fallen through the well, traveled with them, fought with them, battled Naraku, the shy, innocent girl disappeared in the folds of cloth. Left standing behind was a woman. A demon’s woman. A powerful miko. Honored and feared, protected and loved, protector, lover, warrior. Tears edged into her eyes. Part of her hated the fact that Kagome had come here so innocent and had lost that innocence here. The other part of her was a proud warrior, a Taijiya who was proud of her sister, proud of her comrade in arms.
Kagome turned to look at Sango as she let her hair down out of the towel. “What’s wrong Sango?”
“I’m proud of you Kagome” she said with a smile coming to her lips.
“Thanks Sango, that means the world to me” she said softly.
“Here, let me tie your hair for you” Sango reached out and plucked the silver and red ribbons from her friends hands. Pulling a comb through Kagome’s hair, she wove the strands together with the ribbons so silver and red was streaked through her dark hair. Sango left her silver locks to float free along the right side of Kagome’s face.
“Thanks Sango” she smiled and started gathering their stuff as Sango dressed.
“Be careful today” she said softly as Kagome headed in search of Inuyasha.
“I will Sango, I will”
*****
“Sesshomaru, I am taking Kagome out today” Inuyasha stated loudly.
He had walked into the study, Sesshomaru had not even raised his head in acknowledgement. Inuyasha stood there, impatiently waiting for some response from the ice king.
“hmm” Sesshomaru murmured. He did not raise his head from the papers he was working on.
“Well?” Inuyasha growled
Sighing, Sesshomaru looked at the impatient hanyou. He knew Inuyasha was waiting for something. He just wasn’t sure what had the half breed so riled up this morning.
“Inuyasha. Is there something else I can do for you this morning?” he asked coldly
“We may not come back tonight” Inuyasha blushed deep red
“Really?” Sesshomaru sneered
“Look bastard, I just want to make sure that you don’t come looking for us. Don’t let that pervert monk come looking either” he growled
“Just where are you going? At what point should I be worried about the Miko?” He asked
“What? Kagome? She ain’t yours to worry about” he growled
In a flash Sesshomaru was in Inuyasha’s face. “I don’t think you understand. Kagome is mine to worry about. If that prophecy holds true, she is the key to our race. Don’t think for an instant I will let her be in your protection alone!” he snarled back at the hanyou. “You can’t be trusted to protect your own ass, let alone the Miko”
“Mine” he growled back, eye flashing “don’t forget that bastard” Inuyasha spun on his heel to leave, as he reached for the door, Sesshomaru was standing in front of him again.
“When?” he demanded
“By tomorrow afternoon. Now get the hell out of my way!” he snarled
Jerking the door open, Inuyasha stormed out. As he stormed into the foyer, he bellowed “Kagome!”
Kagome came dashing in out of the dining hall to see what the ruckus was, she had heard the door slam.
“Now! Let’s go!” he barked
Looking startled, Kagome walked over toward Inuyasha. Looking over at him, she could see the set in his face, she could feel the anger radiating off of him.
“Inuyasha?” she asked
He reached out and grabbed her hand, jerking her roughly behind him. He pulled her out the door and pulled her up on his back. Without saying a word, he headed East.
They traveled for more than two hours before he slowed down and started to relax. Kagome could feel the tension in his muscles. She could feel the angry heat radiating off of him. As she felt some of it dissipate she cautiously leaned forward to look at his face. He twisted his head slightly to the right and looked at her face.
“What?” he growled low
“Nothing” she answered simply, smiling and settling back against him.
Silence reigned for another hour of travel before he started heading down toward a stream.
“Do you wanna stop?” he growled
“I could use a few minutes” she answered
As he slid to a stop, he shifted her back to the ground, he stalked to the river to wash his hands. Standing at the waters edge with water dripping off his hands, he stared at the water.
As Kagome came back out of the trees, she stopped, watching him. He seemed tenser than normal. She had heard the growling in the Library, but, wasn’t able to make out what was being said. She knew that he was arguing with Sesshomaru.
Standing on the bank, Inuyasha’s mind was in a whirlwind. He knew that Sesshomaru did not make idle threats. He knew he had to talk to Bokuseno, had to find out if what his brother showed him was the truth. He also had to find a way to convince Kagome to stay with him. Before he revealed the prophecy to her. He did not want to be bound to her out of duty. So caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t hear Kagome approach him. He jumped as she hesitantly touched his ears.
“Hey” she murmured
“You wanna eat something? Or you ready to go?” he asked
“Well, it would help if I knew where we were going”
“Would it matter?” he asked
“Nope, not really” she sighed “I’d still like to know where we are going?”
“Bokuseno” he said simply
“Oh? Why?”
“No more questions” he growled “let’s go”
Pulling her back up he headed off again.
Traveling until well into the early afternoon without stopping, Inuyasha was please when he saw the tree line come into view. They were there.
He landed on the ground and let Kagome slip from his back. He lead her to a small outcropping of rocks from a cave, at the edge of the clearing he’d landed in.
“We’ll set up camp here” he said
“Ok” Kagome dropped her small pack, and started pulling things out of the bag. “you hungry?”
“Yeah, I’ll be back in a minute with some wood and water” he headed toward the tree line.
As Kagome spread out their supplies and found rocks around camp to build a fire ring, she realized just how much she enjoyed Sango and Miroku and Shippo traveling with them. She didn’t realize how hard it was to be with him when he was silent like this.
Kagome had just finished setting up their camp when Inuyasha returned, a pan of water in one hand, a load of firewood in another. She could also see a rabbit, skinned, hanging off his arm.
He dropped the firewood next to the pit and jumped into a tree to pull down some dead smaller branches. He handed the rabbit and sticks to Kagome, then turned his attention toward building a fire.
“Let’s eat, then we will go visit with Bokuseno, ok?” he asked gruffly.
“Ok, I’ll have the rabbit ready to start cooking in a moment. Do you want rabbit or ramen?” she asked
“Both”
Laughing, she dug into the pack for Ramen and pulled out a couple of cups. “That actually sounds good” she giggled
Inuyasha stopped and looked at her as she giggled. ‘she is so beautiful’ he thought to himself. The late afternoon sunlight was glinting off the silver stripe in her hair, catching the silver threads in her clothes. His breath caught in his throat. As Kagome turned to look at him, a blush crept up his face as he was caught staring at her.
Kagome just smiled and went back to working on the rabbit. She couldn’t begin to guess what was wrong with him. He had been so strange lately. She was certain that it had something to do with the prophecy. ‘yeah, the prophecy that no one will let you look at or see’ she thought grimly.
Kagome was suspecting that there was something in there she wasn’t going to like, something that everyone was keeping from her. She just didn’t know how to get the information from them. She had tried corning Miroku, Shippo had not found out anything. She really didn’t expect him to, she knew he got sidetracked with Rin. Sango and Kagura were always with her during the day, when Kanna, Miroku, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were sequestered in the library.
As she finished preparing the rabbit, she turned to find that Inuyasha had a good fire going. Heading toward the fire, she could tell he was brooding about something again. She suspended the rabbit from the makeshift spit and set the pan of water on the rocks just inside the fire pit to start the water boiling. Turning in her squatting position, she kneeled in front of Inuyasha
“Inuyasha?” she asked “Inuyasha are you ok?”
“hmmm” he looked down at her “nothing, everything, yeah, sure I’m fine” he was absent minded as he answered her.
“You still seem upset” she said
“I’ll be ok. I’m still dwelling on some things, that’s all”
“What did you and Sesshomaru argue about” she asked. Inuyasha stiffened as she asked this.
“You” he said simply. He knew she wasn’t going to leave it alone. He figured he better give her something to chew on, before she drove him insane.
“Your water is boiling Kagome”
“What? Oh!” she turned and rolled the rabbit on the spit and pulled the water from the fire.
Pouring water into three cups of Ramen she handed two to Inuyasha. When he eyed the third cup, she glared at him. “That is for me mister! Don’t even think about touching it!”
He shrugged and waited until the Ramen was ready to eat. Watching Kagome from under his lashes as she moved about the fire, tending it, pulling the rabbit off and stripping it off the stick. He reached out with a claw and sliced off a hunk from it before she could even set it down.
They ate in silence. Silence seemed to be a prevalent theme between them lately, Kagome noted with a snort. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her when she snorted.
He got up and banked the fire after they had eaten. “I’ll be right back” he headed into the woods again. Kagome sighed and stored away their stuff in the bag, while she waited for him to come back.
Inuyasha was back in minutes, another load of firewood in his arms. He dropped the wood a little ways away from the fire pit. Looking at Kagome, he reached out a hand. “Come on”
He led her toward Bokuseno as the sun was sliding into the west.
*****
“Oi! Bokuseno!” Inuyasha called out as they entered the grove of trees where he was.
The old gnarled tree waved slowly in the evening breeze. The leaves rustled as he slowly shifted his attention to the hanyou.
“Good to see you again, Inuyasha” he said slowly.
Bokuseno was not looking at him, he was looking at the Priestess behind Inuyasha. Bokuseno felt ancient memories come flooding back. He could clearly see the magic that bound the two, he could also see the magic that was her. He remembered when those clothes were made, they were made to protect and guard the miko of the prophecy.
Looking back at Inuyasha, “What brings you to me?”
“Answers” Inuyasha stated simply
“And the beautiful Miko? Why do you bring her to me Inuyasha?”
“So you know?” he asked gruffly
“Of course, remember, I have forgotten more than you will ever gain in your life young master”
“Feh, whatever”
“So, the beautiful Miko carries my bow, does she?” he asked slowly.
“The bow is made from you Bokuseno. It is beautiful. I thank you for this” Kagome said, bowing her head slightly
“Ah, use it wisely little one. The clothing fit you perfectly” he responded
Inuyasha sat back and waited, he wasn’t patient by nature, but, he knew that he needed to talk to Bokuseno alone.
“My little one, you are the shining example of what those were made for” he looked at Kagome, he knew, he knew what she was here for, why she had been allowed to travel time, to come back here.
“Thank you” a blush crept up her cheeks. She always felt inadequate in the presence of one as old and wise as Bokuseno.
“Midoriko did this to you. She holds an incredible power. Only rivaled by one”
Inuyasha’s ears twitched at this. He knew that Bokuseno was waiting to share something with him. He never ceased to be amazed by what the old spirit knew. It seemed that he understood that there were things he wanted to discuss in private.
“Yes, she did.” she blushed again. “Bokuseno, what do you know of the prophecy?” she asked
“Well, little one, I believe that is information best given by someone else” he answered sagely.
Kagome sighed. She had hoped to gather information herself, when she learned that they were traveling here.
“Allow me to share this with you, little one, trust in the one who holds your heart. You will be best served to always remember that no matter what you see, trust in your heart”
“I will” she said “What is to come? What is the darkness that has the palace in an uproar?” trying another tactic to gather the information she wanted..
“Ah, little one, there is a battle brewing. Naraku was simply a pawn. This is something more sinister” he yawned. “Something that we have been waiting for, for many generations.”
“Why am I here?” she asked.
“The generations could not wait any longer”
Once again, she was thwarted in her attempts to gather information.
“My little one?” he queried “would you excuse me and the pup for a while? I believe he is here for something”
Looking at Inuyasha, Kagome knew that he had been waiting to ask something. “Inuyasha?”
“Please Kagome?” he looked at her, something shadowed in his eyes
“Sure, I’ll just go for a walk”
“Stay within shouting distance!” he ordered as she started off.
“I will” she waved over her shoulder at both of them.
*****
“Well, young master, you’re here for a reason”
“Yeah” Inuyasha responded
“Well? What can I do for you?” he asked quietly
“She’s the one, isn’t she?” he asked, tone low to ensure she couldn’t hear them
“The one? Which one would that be Inuyasha?” he chuckled
“The one from the prophecy” he growled
“Of course. Is there more?”
Bokuseno looked at Inuyasha. He knew there was more than that one simple question.
“What about the other thing?” he asked, a blush stealing across his face
“The other thing? Do you mean is she the one for you, young master?”
“Yeah” he choked out
“Do you want to know what the fates think? What destiny has in store? What she thinks?”
“huh?”
“She is the one from the prophecy, of course the fates intend for her to be the one for you. She loves you” he answered simply. “What of you though, young master?”
“She is what I want” he replied “She is the only thing that keeps me moving forward”
“Why do you hesitate?” he asked
“I want this to be because she wants to be with me”
“So you withhold the prophecy from her, for this?” he sighed “Do you not think maybe she should be the one to decide?”
“If she stays here, she will lose her ability to travel back to her time”
“And yet, you hide this from her?”
“I don’t know how to tell her” he said
“Young master, try being open with her” he said “You don’t know how she will respond until you try”
“Is there a way for me to keep her safe? How do I protect her, if she stays here?”
“That is what you do, that is who you are” Bokuseno sighed “Trust in yourself”
“I’m afraid I will hurt her”
“Ah, young master, as long as you hold her in your heart, you will not hurt her”
Inuyasha sighed and looked up toward the night sky.
“You should seek her out, talk to her, while you are alone” Bokuseno said “Your brother will not be patient, he will see the unclaimed Miko as vulnerable and susceptible to the dangers coming”
“I know. He has already started threatening.”
“Well, young master? Why are you here with me? You should be with her”
“One more thing, what is it?”
“Ah, the darkness. It is an ancient evil. The restlessness of the gods created it. It is sorrow, angst, regret, hate.” he sighed “It is a power that seeks to consume all things. Demons who hold hate and sorrow in their heart are prey to it. Do you know any demon that does not hold sorrow in their heart?”
Inuyasha blinked at him. A demon that does not hold sorrow? Even young Shippo held sorrow. “So he feds off of us?”
“We don’t know that it is a he, Inuyasha” Bokuseno replied
Inuyasha stared at him for another moment. He had not considered that a darkness could be created of a female spirit. Maybe one that held more hate and sorrow than they could imagine.
“You have already been touched by it, young master”
“What! When?” he demanded
“During your final battle with Naraku” Inuyasha closed his eyes at this. Thinking back over the battle. He could only vaguely remember a feeling of desperation, darkness swirling around him.
“That is the darkness? That thing that tried to get to me, when Kagura had Kagome?”
“I don’t know at what point. But, I did feel it, I feel it now”
“Why doesn’t Sesshomaru sense it?”
“He doesn’t know what it is. He was to young to remember when your father first started looking for it”
“Go on young master, find your love, leave this old spirit to his rest” Bokuseno closed his eyes, signaling to Inuyasha that the conversation was over.
Sorry for the time between updates. Between computer problems and work, I haven’t had time. Hopefully I’ll be back on track now. For those enjoying this story, Thanks for your patience!
OK: Disclaimer again!
I don’t own Inuyasha, it’s characters or it’s story line
That sole joy belongs to Rumiko Takahashi
I’ll let you know who I own as we go!