InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Heaven ❯ Passing the Torch ( Chapter 16 )

Dark Heaven

 

I'm not sure when exactly, but before Chapter 20, there'll be a big plot shift. For those of you that read my last story, it will be the equivalent of unmasking Youkai/Inuyasha. Two major characters will die, Hunter's name will be revealed, and the story's pace will pick up big time.

 

Chapter 16

 

Passing the Torch

 

“So what do you do exactly?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha shrugged. The two were walking home after a relatively easy dinner at a WacDonalds. Kagome had enjoyed it none the less, Inuyasha was really starting to grow on her.

 

“I work odd jobs here and there, pick up work where I can. I'm not one to settle like that. I'm not big on luxury. I'm in a motel now. It's a little cramped, and the bathroom smells like piss. But for right now, its home.” Kagome nodded, a little off-put by the seeming fact Inuyasha was no better off than her. Boy, if he could see her apartment.

 

“I get by too. Sango slips a little extra into the paychecks and she thinks I don't notice. I was gonna see a shrink about some stuff, but I couldn't afford it.” Kagome thought back on Tsubaki and the abandoned hopes she had for her dreams. She just couldn't pay the bills.

 

“You ever wanted anything more for yourself?” Inuyasha asked. Kagome sighed.

 

“That's what I've heard I should do. The thing is I don't need more. I'm fine with what I have. I eat, I have a bed, I'm clothed, I work.”

 

“It's not matter of need, it's a matter of want,” Inuyasha corrected. “There's nothing wrong with wanting something, even if you know it's out of your reach and you can't have it.” Kagome looked over at him. Inuyasha's eyes had taken on a far-off look. “You know you don't deserve it, and won't get it, but you want it anyway and try to get it. It's human nature.” Kagome bit back the retort that sprung to mind as she and Inuyasha turned up the steps to her apartment complex.

 

“Well want I want right now is a long bath and a good night's sleep,” Kagome said, pulling out her key and unlocking the door. “You want to have lunch tomorrow?”

 

“Sure. See you there,” Inuyasha said, smiling and giving her a half way. Kagome pulled halfway inside the door, and Inuyasha put a hand on her shoulder. “Hold on, you forgot something,” Inuyasha said. Kagome turned to ask what, and the hand on her shoulder cupped her chin as he leaned forward and kissed her.

 

Kagome's eyes went wide. She wasn't mad. Far from it, it felt…nice, very nice. But, well…it wasn't like this happened often…okay, it wasn't like this had ever happened. She kept expecting him to pull one of the moves she had heard about over the years, cop a feel, ask to come upstairs, try and shove his tongue down her throat, which was another thing in itself that might be alright.

 

Inuyasha pulled away after a moment, and Kagome stared up at him in awe. She must have shown how she felt, because he grinned down at her.

 

“You're cute when you smile like that,” He whispered. Kagome nodded dumbly, and Inuyasha turned, walking down the street. Kagome watched him go and slowly walked up to her apartment, collapsing on the bed, grinning like an idiot.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“Uh, no. twelve year olds get their first kisses. People your age screw Kagome,” Sango scolded. Kagome rolled her eyes and poured herself a cup of coffee from the office pot.

 

“Well excuse me for being a late starter. Seeing as how I wasn't even sure what dating was a few weeks ago, I'd say this is a good step,” She replied, adding cream to the brew and sipping it.

 

“Yeah, but I think that before you go anywhere past kissing, you might want to work on the…you know…” Sango made little flapping motions with her hands.

 

“I'm working on it. Step one, I make sure I can trust him, step three, he accepts me and we go from there.”

 

“And step two?” Sango asked, raising an eyebrow. Kagome raised a notebook and held it up to block Sango's view of her face.

 

“I said I was working on it,” She mumbled, pretending to look at the PC layout guide.

 

“You'll have to tell him sooner or later Kagome. Hey, if you have to, lie and say you're a hanyou, how will he be able to tell?” Sango suggested, sitting down and typing up a report on the police funding.

 

“That might work…what choice do I have besides that? But before that I want to make sure this might actually go somewhere.”

 

“Hello, wake up!” Sango snorted, smirking. “Ever hear of casual relationships? You don't have to get married to the first guy to kiss you.”

 

“Sango,” Souten said, appearing at the doorway. “You've got a visitor.” Sango nodded and stood up, giving Kagome a half-wave and following Souten to the front lobby of the Cryer offices. She froze as she walked from behind the front desk and saw who was sitting on the bench.

 

“Hey,” Miroku said, waving.

 

“No, I don't have time for this,” Sango grunted, turning around.

 

“Sango, please,” Miroku whispered, standing up and grabbing her hand. Sango froze and half expected him to try and hug her. But for once Miroku did the non-perverted thing and just held her there. “I didn't tell you properly, so I understand entirely if you hate my guts and never want to see me again.” Sango nodded slightly, and Miroku waited. “Um, Sango, this is where you tell me you don't hate me, and don't want to never see me again,” Miroku prodded.

 

“What if I don't want to say it?” Sango replied, crossing her arms.

 

“I'm sorry if you don't like what I said, but it's the truth Sango,” Miroku insisted, lowering his hand. “I love you Sango, and I'm not going to give up on making you see that.”

 

“So is this where you ask me out or invite me to dinner?” Sango replied, looking over her shoulder at him.

 

“No. This is where I leave and hope you'll do the same to me once you feel like it,” Miroku replied. He nodded shortly and turned, leaving the offices and leaving Sango more confused than before.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“She should be fine after a while, we've stitched up the wounds and it's just a matter of letting them heal. Overall, taking into account recovery time and any variables, she should be ready to return to the Council within a week,” Naraku nodded.

 

“Thank you doctor,” He said. The doctor smiled and pushed past Kikyo, leaving the two Councilors in Midoriko's room. Midoriko herself was somewhat coherent, at least no less than she had been in her time before hand.

 

“You two should be at Council instead of watching over me,” Midoriko coughed. Naraku quickly picked up an oxygen mask from the bedside and brought it to her mouth, Midoriko taking a few deep breaths.

 

“Don't be absurd,” Kikyo scolded, sitting down on the other side of the bed. “Your health is all that matters. The sooner you get well the sooner you can return to us.” Midoriko smiled wryly.

 

“Yes, and be back to secluding myself in my room,” She snorted. “We all know that one way or the other, I will not be returning to the Council.” Kikyo and Naraku exchanged troubled looks. It was no secret Midoriko had been neglecting her Council duties over the past few years, but to denounce them outright was unprecedented. “Kikyo, please, step outside for a moment,” Midoriko whispered. Kikyo nodded, still not comfortable with Midoriko's words but willing to accept them. She stepped into the hall and clicked the door shut behind her.

 

“What's wrong?” Naraku asked. He hated moments like this, moments when things happened that he couldn't control the outcome. Midoriko smiled.

 

“Naraku, regardless of when I recover, after my time here at the hospital, I will be returning the Council Towers only momentarily, to announce my resignation.” Naraku was shocked, and by Midoriko's nod it must have shown.

 

“May I ask why, Councilor?” He asked.

 

“Naraku, I'm barely pushing fifty years old, but I feel like I'm so much older,” Midoriko explained. “I'm too old to rule anymore. There are forces at work in this world, human and youkai alike that must be safeguarded by the Council, and I'm not one for it anymore.”

 

“I understand,” Naraku replied. “Shall I tell Kikyo and the other Councilors of this?”

 

“Not the others, they will find out in due time, and Kikyo will find out in moments.” She said. “Naraku, I tell you this now, because I wish to ask you something. When I step down, I would like you to take my place at the Head of the Council.” Naraku's eyes widened.

 

“Are you sure?” He asked, barely able to hold back a grin. Hakudoshi had promised him power if he delivered the Sealed One, but damn him! Midoriko had just handed him command of the city.

 

“Yes. You have proven yourself a capable and worthy man over the years. I honestly cannot think of a better person to replace me,” She assured him. “Just promise me you'll make me proud. You may be able to bring the peace I never could.” Naraku nodded. Peace was certainly one of his goals, although he knew Midoriko wouldn't approve of his method of getting it.

 

“It would be an honor to take your place,” Naraku vowed.

 

“Thank you. Please leave, I need to speak to Kikyo alone,” Midoriko instructed. Naraku smiled, allowing part of his joy to show through. He opened the door and stepped into the hall.

 

“She wants to see you,” He said. Kikyo nodded and stepped inside, Naraku closing the door behind her. She sat down at Midoriko's bedside as the Councilor hit the bed controls to lean up.

 

“Kikyo. What I am about to tell you must not leave this room,” Midoriko whispered. “For twenty-five years, ever since I first took on the role of Head of the Council, I have been guarding an artifact of immeasurable power. You know of what I speak don't you?”

 

“The Sealed One?” Kikyo whispered. Midoriko nodded and reached over to take Kikyo's hand.

 

“The ancient power of the warrior priests of the Great War was entrusted to me by the former guardian. For the past century a female councilor has taken on the role of Miko, the Sealed One's protector, sacrificing their own life energy to ensure its seals to not break. This is why my life will end so prematurely, and why I must now pass the protection of the Sealed One to a new Miko.” Kikyo gasped as Midoriko's hands glowed a light pink.

 

“Kikyo, the Sealed One lies under the floorboards of my former quarters. Find it and take it for me. Never allow its malevolent will to break free.” Kikyo felt a strange warmth seep into her from Midoriko's touch, and watched as her own hands began to glow instead of Midoriko's. “Just as the Miko energy was passed to me for the task, so now I pass it to you,” Midoriko whispered. “You and Naraku are my most trusted and loyal Councilors, and I have come to see you two as close as siblings, even children. Together you two will ensure the safety of the race. Promise me Kikyo, that you and Naraku will usher in the dawn of a new era.” Kikyo nodded and blinked away.

 

“I promise,” She replied, leaning down to hug Midoriko. As the two Councilors embraced, Naraku glared at them from the hall before shutting the door.