InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Soul of the Future, White Heart of the Past (On hold) ❯ Chapter 15: Day of Warmth, Night of Coldness ( Chapter 16 )

Written by: Zelix

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, you know that by now… But I do own my fabulous OC!

"Talking"

`Thinking'

=Used when mentioning Techniques or attacks =

[Check the bottom for details]

If this was a TV-series:

Opening: Blue Gender - Tokihanate

Ending: Tanpopo - Track 1

Dark Soul of the Future, White Heart of the Past

Episode 15: "Day of Warmth, night of coldness."-Part 1

"The day and night after the fight with the beast, the warrior group relaxes and thinks, what is the beast after? What does it want? How can they win? Then, during the night, worries and nightmares plague one of them, this is the day they when they must realise what it means to be alive"- Unknown

Inuyasha and the rest were currently making silent prayers, they had returned what was left of Kikyo's ashes to her grave at the village, burying her once and for all… she saved Inuyasha's life with the last of her powers yet despite her sacrifice, Kasaraki was still alive and would return one day to finish what he started with Inuyasha… but she had managed to buy them time at least, time to prepare for the next time they saw him, so they were now at her grave, giving silent prayers for her to rest in peace at last.

The rest of the village were also making they're prayers for the dead priestess and also gave they're prayers for both Kagome and Inuyasha, they prayed they would survive they're next encounter with that devil, Kasaraki, the name alone was already enough to make anyone in the village shiver with fear, they had only heard what had happened but that was more than enough to make them fear him already since there weren't many humans or demons that could take on three ogres, not to mention Inuyasha himself and walk out of it alive without a scratch, this was indeed both a dark and bright day for everyone in the village.

After the burial, everyone decided that both Inuyasha and Kagome needed time alone with each other, they had almost lost each other twice in a day and there was no telling if they would be so lucky next time… though after hearing that, Inuyasha had growled angrily and Kagome had tensed against him, even a reminder of it was enough to make her shiver with fear (Not surprising, I mean if the love of your live almost died two times in a day in front of your eyes, you too would be pretty damn shaken up).

With that, both Inuyasha and Kagome decided to spend it in her time, where there were no dangers awaiting them… except Kagome's grandfather, Inuyasha swore that if he put even one of those damn ofudas of his onto his forehead, he wouldn't hesitate to break the old mans neck, he wasn't serious about that but oh well. The rest of the group went on to do other tasks: Sango, Miroku and Kaede decided to try and figure out just what Kasaraki was and if he attacked they would need to have some means of defence against his `terror presence', since at that time that was all they could do, tremble with terror. Shippo didn't really know what to do, Kirara had gone with both Inuyasha and Kagome to escort them to the well since Inuyasha was still badly beaten up from the fight and Kagome-mama (He still doesn't say that out loud) couldn't use her powers either yet, that baka (refers to Inuyasha) was against the idea, saying that he didn't need help protecting his mate from dangers… though both turned beet red after he said that one, making both Sango and Miroku grin evilly at them, though after some persuasion from Kagome, he had reluctantly agreed.

So Shippo was alone and bored, he had wanted to help Kaede and the rest to figure out a way to ward off Kasaraki's `terror presence' as they called it but they had said he was too young to help… that had made him a bit angry. Right now he was at the village's lake, staring at his own reflection and thought: `What is with everyone?! "You're too young"… they still treat me like a child! I mean look at me, I've grown up over the 4 years for Kami's sake! I admit I'm not all that useful in battle, I still get scared and run away easily… but that doesn't mean I'm a ignorant, naïve little kid anymore! I'm taller, my tail is split which into two which means that I'm half-way adult now, when it gets split into four I'm an adult… yet, they still think I'm a kid! It pisses me off! *sigh* if I wasn't such a coward in battle they might look at me differently… but I can't help it! I don't have the strength like that baka or the courage like mama! It's not fair… that baka and mama were almost killed and all I could do was sit and cry my eyes out… it's not fair…' He could feel tears coming into his eyes again, he really felt pathetic, he was almost an adult and yet he still cried so easily… no wonder they all saw him as a helpless, naïve little child… what should he do?

Kouga was in a dilemma, he knew now that Kagome was beyond his reach… maybe she always had been beyond his reach, he just had been too stupid and cocky to see it, his pride didn't let him see or accept it and now he was in a very tight pinch, it was nothing compared to this morning when they fought that devil but it was still a pinch for him, now that Kagome had openly refused him and chosen that dog sh… Inuyasha, he could not go back into his den and tell them that the legendary White Priestess had chosen a hanyou as her mate and it had indeed been the hanyou who had destroyed Naraku the hell spawn instead of him…

If Kouga did that, his reputation and pride would never be the same again, if it was only himself who was affected by this… dramatic turn of events, he could bare it and possibly correct it but this would have a huge impact on his entire pack! The other wolf tribes would hear that the White Priestess had refused Kouga, a wolf prince and instead chosen a dirty hanyou as her mate, this would make him look weak and incompetent as a Alpha male and it would mean that other tribes would turn they're backs on him or even might try to take over his pack, not to mention he would lose the respect of everyone in his entire pack… well maybe not Hakkaku and Ginta's but the rest would surely turn against him or just try to overthrow him.

So unless he had a pretty damn good reason as to why the White Priestess wasn't his mate, he and his pack would be in for a major shit storm of trouble and hard times… the fact he hadn't been the one to vanquish Naraku could be ignored since it had technically been Kagome who was responsible for his death, since without her Miko powers they would never have won, so that was not a problem, the real problem was that how to explain the mate situation.

He was walking towards the village lake too when he caught the sight of Shippo starting at his own reflection on the waters surface… briefly he thought: `Isn't that the little Kitsune who follows Kagome like a pup would follow his mother? What's he doing?' Then he smelled tears and saw that the kit was shedding them lightly (Man, people cry in this story a lot huh?) and that made his eyes widen in surprise, what was he crying for? He moved the kits side and asked while crouching down: "Hoi, why the waterworks kid?" This startled Shippo so much he jumped before looking at his side to see Kouga there.

Shippo was sure he would have a heart attack, Kouga had, literally, scared the living crap out of him! He couldn't hear or smell him approach, that really made him mad at himself… if Kouga had been an enemy, Shippo would be dead now. Kouga looked at the kit with blinking eyes, had he just startled the guy? He should have smelled or at least heard his approach… yet, he had been taken completely off guard! What was with him?

Shippo after calming his heart and breathing, wiped his eyes onto the sleeve of his clothes (He wears the same ones as 4 years ago, except bigger) then he said with a deep sigh: "Kouga, what do you want?" He sounded irritated, who wouldn't be after all this?

Kouga shook his head and said: "What? You were crying and I was just curious, it's not everyday you see a male Youkai cry… so why the water words kiddo?" Shippo cringed at that, even he called him a kiddo… this was just getting better and better by the second wasn't it? He replied after kicking a small stone into the lake: "Why do you care? I'm just a kid… why should anyone care what I do?" He sounded hurt, sarcastic and angry since this was really not his day at all.

Kouga was a bit taken back by the kits attitude, he knew the kit was more sensitive than he let out but he had never really seen him this down and angry before… though, he did have a good idea why he was like that, he remembered when he himself was at the kits age… he thought to himself a bit amused: `Growth pains… when you go from cub to adult it is always both confusing and scary, not to mention it is rather frustrating when no one sees you as an adult, this kit, he's growing up and just needs someone to see it… hmm, maybe…' Kouga smirked and after watching the kit look at his own image in the lake again he said to him with an amused voice: "A kid huh? Let me guess, you're angry because no one sees you as an adult or is even starting to talk to you like you were?"

Shippo looked at Kouga with wide eyes, shock was imminent in them since just now, he found someone who understood him! He remained silent as Kouga continued while sitting down next to him: "Listen kit, you're at a pretty tight and critical age right now, you're instincts, body and all other things you have are taking the first steps to become an adult, others don't see it and they treat you like a kid because… well, since technically you still are one, sure you're body has began to evolve but that's about it, you're mentally not there yet so it's frustrating and it makes you want to hit something. Am I right or did I miss something?" He asked with a smirk, humour was evident in his voice.

Shippo could do nothing except nod like an idiot, how did this guy… well, if Inuyasha was a baka then this guy was a dense baka, so how did this dense baka know this? Seeing Shippos face like that, Kouga couldn't help but chuckle, then reply: "Kiddo, you aren't the only one who went through things like that, that dog shit probably didn't need to because being a hanyou meant he had to fight all the time… but you are different, you've had a group of people looking after you for so long that they've used to you being a kid to them so they won't see you as an adult."

Kouga was smirking mentally, the look on the kits face was priceless, such a perfect mixture or shock, realisation, surprise and curiosity. Kouga then had an idea, the dilemma he had was a tough one and this kit knew best how Kagome and that dog shit thought so maybe he would help him see something he had missed, so he asked: "Kit, I'm going to ask you something, it's an adult question so it's a tricky but let's see just how much of an adult you are, okay?" Within a split second Shippo sat in front of Kouga, ears listening intently on every word he was going to say, his eyes told it all, he saw this as his change to prove he was an adult.

This made Kouga laugh mentally, he looked just like a kiddo again… oh well… Kouga then replayed his dilemma to the little kit, his realisation of his own feelings towards Kagome, that he was giving up on her (Which made Shippo rather relieved actually) and then he proceeded to tell his main problem of it all, the situation with his tribe, the reputation and all other things that were now being pressed onto him.

Shippo had listened intently on Kouga's dilemma, that was indeed a very tricky situation… he had never really looked at all this from Kouga's point of view, he was a Alpha male of his tribe which meant that he had more responsibilities than all of them put together and with the way things were, if he returned bare handed… it would indeed be disastrous on both him and his tribe, Shippo may not be the brightest one in the group but even he knew what Alpha males responsibilities were, especially one from a large tribe like that, not to mention if he seemed weak to the other tribes they would try to take his pack away from him. Since day one Kouga had declared his `love' for Kagome in public, which meant that if she refused him it would make him seem really weak to the other tribes, since what sort of a Alpha male can run a tribe but cannot handle his own mate-to-be?

Kouga thought to himself: `Okay, that was a mistake… I didn't have any high hopes for this kit to come up with an answer but… I think I gave a bit too hard of a nut to crack…' But just when he was ready to say forget it and leave, Shippo suddenly clapped his hands together and said: "I got it!" This made Kouga look at him both sceptically and curiously, Shippo saw this and thought with an inward smirk: `So, he really thought I was too little to solve a problem like this? Like I keep telling them, they shouldn't underestimate me, I may not have the brawn like this dense baka and that baka but I do have brains, since I'm a Kitsune after all, my wits are the only thing I really have… heheheh…'

There was a long silence before Kouga asked with irritation since this kit wouldn't say anything: "Oi! What did you come up with?! Spit it out!" Shippo just grinned at him and said with a sweet, innocent voice: "What are you talking about? I'm just a little kid, I don't anything about things like this…" The words were dripping with both humour and sarcasm, he wasn't going to say a damn thing until Kouga admitted he was an adult…

Kouga felt his nerves popping and if you looked at him carefully you could see about 7 veins beginning to form all over his face and head, he then grabbed Shippo by the collar and brought his face within an inch of his own, making the kit sweat and shiver with fear because of the look in his eyes, they promised a painful murder if he didn't spit it out right now, he also said with a malicious voice: "Listen here, KIDDO, unless you spit it out right now, at this very instant what you came up with, my claws are going to have a nice little chat with your insides, starting with your lower region." Shippo's eyes widened with horror and all he did was nod enthusiastically like an idiot, Kouga released him and stared at him with his arms crossed, waiting for him to begin.

Shippo took a moment to recollect himself, he then started with a cough: "You're problem is a tricky one considering how merciless Youkai laws, reputation, pride etc. are, you cannot go back because if you do you would be jeopardizing…" Kouga raised an eyebrow and asked: "Jepkasits… what?" Shippo rolled his eyes and said: "That's a word from Kagome's home, it means endangering things or people you know." Kouga nodded and Shippo continued: "… so as I was saying, going back bare handed would mean you would be jeopardizing (Kouga still finds that word rather weird) not only your own position but also the fate of your entire tribe, so you can't go back unless you return with Kagome as your mate."

"But then there is the other problem, Kagome is a human and not from around here which makes her feel and think differently than the rest of us… normally, if she was a female Youkai and born around here, she would be glad to become a mate for a strong Alpha male like yourself…" Kouga grinned at that, the kit had a way with words, he had to give him that, he then continued: "But Kagome is not a Youkai and not from around here, ideals, feelings and mating rituals (Refers to human ways) are completely different… she doesn't want a mate to gain status or power, she wants to find someone who will love her and she loves him back, nothing more and judging from what you said earlier, you cannot fill that category."

Kouga sighed and looked down, it still hurt to admit it but it was true… Shippo saw this and said with a bit more cheery voice: "But, if you keep things well with her, you will at least make a friend out of her… that is better than having her hate you right?" Kouga had to nod at that one, though he wished it could be more than that…

Shippo then while glancing at the lake continued: "So that's the main reason she won't leave that baka… or Inuyasha to be precise, since he is a hanyou with no status or anything like that so he can love her freely and she loves him back freely, that is why they cannot be torn apart by anything, Kagome doesn't want anything else out of Inuyasha except that he remains as himself and not become something else for her sake. So no matter how you look at it, Kagome was always beyond your reach…"

"So Kouga, even though it is hard to let her go, you have to, even if you were to take her away and try to persuade her to become your mate… she wouldn't give in, no matter what you did she wouldn't give in, the only thing you would accomplish with all that would only make her hate you like she hated Naraku and you DON'T want that do you?" Kouga nodded, this was rather strange for him, here he was, a prince of a wolf Youkai tribe and he was being lectured by a kit not even 1/10 of his own age! And the scariest thing was, every word he had said made perfect sense and though it hurt it was still very real and had to be accepted.

Shippo saw his face turn into a frown, he was getting depressed… now was the time to give him some hope, he grinned when he wasn't looking and said: "Kagome is now the legendary "White Priestess" and there isn't a single place in all of this or some other provinces that don't know that name… (Kouga frowned even further) But that is also a reason why you must NOT make her yours." Kouga's head perked up to look at Shippo like he was crazy, then he saw the kits smirk as he continued, the little bastard was planning something: "Think about it Kouga, how much damage has your tribe suffered because of Naraku? A lot, meaning your pack is low in number and has weakened severely (Kouga growls) so if a major Youkai attack was to happen, you're tribe would be wiped out correct?"

Kouga was inches away from pounding the kit into the earth, how dare he mock his pack like that?! But he was also right, the 4 years of fighting Naraku and his Youkai had reduced they're numbers severely and they're ability to defend themselves was very weak at the moment… then he hear Shippo continue: "So think about, if a word got out that the White Priestess, Kagome was your mate and was living with your pack, what would happen?" It took Kouga a moment to think about that, Kagome was legendary among both the humans and Youkai… there were many who would just love to…

Then a realisation hit Kouga, about every power hungry Youkai that were to hear about it would naturally come rushing into his den to try and kill her! Not to mention, she had the almost completely Shikon no Tama with her which meant that entire HORDES of Youkai would come in waves to get it! Just like those three ogres attacked just before that devil appeared… she and his tribe would be in constant danger of an attack and considering how weakened his tribe was, they wouldn't last long…

Shippo saw the realisation flash in his eyes, good… he finally got the message, by making Kagome his, he would bring more trouble than ever before right into his own tribe, he then finished by saying: "Yup, it seems like you got it, you may be strong Kouga but even you cannot handle entire hordes of Youkai, they would eventually get through you. Not to mention, the other members of your tribe would be infatuated by the mere presence of the Shikon no Tama, meaning that she would not only be in danger of Youkai attacks but also from the people of your own tribe."

As Shippo's words sank into his skull (Miracle) the more he realised just how right he was, the Shikon no Tama would bring doom onto his entire tribe and even if the jewel itself wouldn't be there, Kagome would be in constant danger of Youkai's attacking her to gain the reputation of being the one who killed the legendary White Priestess… he then thought with an angry mind: `How could I have been so BLIND?! I wanted to make her mine so badly I didn't even stop to think about the consequences it would bring, the jewel for one… I have no need for it but in time it might affect me as well and I might end up hurting her, not to mention she would in constant danger every single day! Kami, I have been an idiot…'

Shippo looked at Kouga's facial expressions change from one to another, he was finally getting the whole picture, now there was just one thing left: "One more thing Kouga, this is the most important one: Youkai hate hanyou, right?" Kouga looked at him and said with a snort: "Everyone knows that, what are you getting at?" Shippo snickered mentally, was this guy really this dense? He then said with a serious voice: "Kouga, you're a full blooded Youkai and Kagome is a human, even if you were to work out all the other problems, what about the cubs you would have with her? She's human and you're a Youkai so they would be…" He let the sentence hang in the air on purpose, trying to see if he the basic thing of basic things.

Kouga thought about three seconds until it hit him: His cubs would be born as hanyous, even if they were from the legendary White Priestess… they would still be hanyou, hated by everyone and that made him realise something else too: The other tribes that were in alliance with his own, they wanted him to take her as a mate just to show everyone that they had the legendary priestess… when cubs would be born, they would be killed to reserve the reputation of his tribe… Kagome would really be nothing but a trophy, nothing more… when he had realised his feelings he had also realised that he had been thinking just like that without realising it! And he knew how sweet and kind hearted person Kagome was, if they're cubs were killed… her heart and spirit would break and since she was the guardian of the Shikon no Tama it would make things even harder than ever before, so no matter how you looked at it, they're relationship would be doomed from the start…

Shippo then said to him with a deep sigh: "So Kouga, since you're a pack leader, what is the most important thing to you: You're tribe's reputation, they're safety or they're future? Since if you choose reputation, they're safety and future will be put into heavy jeopardy, if you choose safety or future, the reputation will be lost… it seems bleak to you BUT there is a way out for you, it will damage your reputation a little but it can be fixed." Kouga looked at Shippo now with a look that said he was at his mercy, which made Shippo want to laugh his ass off… here he had a wolf prince on his knees, he was nothing but a mischievous little Kitsune and he had one of the strongest Youkais in the land on his knees at his mercy, if only that baka were here to see this… it would be priceless.

He wanted to tease Kouga to kingdom come, his nature as a Kitsune demanded him to tease the man to no end… but right now, he didn't think he could hold back his laughter from the look he had much longer so he said with a smile: "Well, if I remember right… you still have someone who you promised something, many, many years ago… SHE is still probably waiting." It took Kouga forever to realise what he was talking about… someone else who was waiting for him? Who…? Then it hit him, he remembered now: Ayame! He smacked himself onto his forehead, he really was a moron! He had promised to make Ayame his mate so long ago, long before even meeting Kagome, yes… the claim he had made to her was old but it was more firmer than the one he had made on Kagome since Ayame was the daughter of the elder of one of the wolf tribes, both Ayame's status and the time the claim was made were more solid and tight than the one he had made on Kagome.

Yes, that would do it! It would be tricky and hard to get the other elders to see it that way but if he said the same things Shippo had just said, they would not be able to deny the iron hard logic behind it, union with Ayame would also unify his tribe with hers and from there they could restore themselves to they're former glory, though… he was a tad bit worried on what Ayame would do, he had treated her badly and mostly ignored her, then all those times he'd shown Kagome more affection than to her ever before… she had every right to refuse him, that is if she hasn't already broken off the claim…

He then looked at Shippo with a troubled face and asked: "Shippo, that is a very good idea, you really are more cunning than you're letting out… if you keep that up, they won't be able to treat you like a kid much longer… (Shippo leaps up and lands with a `yes' signature) but there is one problem…" Shippo looked at Kouga and smirked again before cutting him off: "You're afraid she'll instead of accepting kicks your ass and says `piss off you bastard' right?" Kouga looked at him with a shocked expression, how in the hell did he figure that out?

Shippo chuckled and said: "Hey, you're situation is now almost identical to the one that baka and Kagome had, they were so afraid on how the other would react onto they're confessions… so I can give you a very good hint on what you should do: First go to her, talk to her about it and let her get the steams out of her body… meaning she will first hate you and doesn't want to have anything to do with you since you hurt her feelings that long. (Kouga nods and his brains are going a mile a minute, taking notes on his words) It may not take so long for her to stop hating you if she really still cares for you, after the hating part is over, you must be there for her, comfort her and promise not to ever leave her side again and make sure you also KEEP those promises or there will be hell to pay."

"Then, lastly, when she calms down enough… then tell her how you feel about her but be careful, if you lie about your feelings or say the wrong words, you're screwed but play all your cards carefully and you'll not only save your own ass but also the asses of everyone in your tribe AND you'll get a mate that will never leave you, it's a win-win don't you think?" Shippo looked at Kouga with a raised eyebrow, making him look rather smart for his age.

Kouga was, least to say… in awe, he couldn't believe this kit! Was he really a kid or… was he some kind of a freakish mutation between a kid and an adult? Yet, now he had a solution to his dilemma, it had been underneath his nose all along: Ayame, the little wolf girl he had saved so many years ago and promised to make his mate, he couldn't even begin to count how much trouble would have been avoided during these 4 years if he had seen this truth sooner… he looked at Shippo and said while ruffling his hair: "Heh, you really are something else kid… no, Shippo, you are already more like an adult than you think, sooner or later the others will notice it… see ya around and thanks for the advice." With that, Kouga walked away to think about all this new information, the main problem right: How to get close to Ayame without her kicking his to kingdom come.

Shippo looked at the retreating Figure of Kouga, he puffed his chest from pride and snickered, that had been… the most weirdest, oddest, funniest and also the most prideful little talk, he felt so good at the moment, his chest swelled with pride… though when Kouga was out of hearing range, he started to laugh so hard his stomach began to hurt, the memory of Kouga's pleading face when he was at his mercy… that baka would be really interested on hear about this one, not to mention Kagome-mama would be proud of what he did… but right now, he just laughed until his lungs began to hurt, this day just took a turn for the better…

To be continued…

No preview this time.

Next time on Dark Soul, White Heart:

"Day of Warmth, Night of Coldness" - Part 2

A/N: Well, that's the first part, please review now. I know that those two were OOC but then again… damn.

- Zelix, See ya next time!